Integrated Approach for Metallic Fraction Recovery and Generation of Valuable Products from Electronic Waste

Abstract

The presence of metals and plastics makes electronic waste (e-waste) a secondary source for metal recovery and energy generation. In this study, an integrated approach is demonstrated to recover the metallic fraction and generate valuable products from e-waste using pyrolysis and ultrasonication. E-waste pyrolysis under the optimized process conditions of 500 °C temperature and 30 min of pyrolysis time resulted in 77 wt % solid, 5 wt % oil, and 18 wt % gas products. Calorific values of gas and oil products are 30 MJ/m3 and 34 MJ/kg, respectively. The oil product mainly comprises phenyl ring compounds, whereas H2 and CH4 are the main constituents of the gaseous stream. A solid product is further subjected to ultrasound for 30 min which leads to the metallic fraction recovery with an efficiency of 90 wt %. The investigation reveals that an integrated methodology may provide a solution for the sustainable management of e-waste and resource recovery.

Recycling of Epoxy Resins with Degradable Structures or Dynamic Cross-Linking Networks: A Review

“…In most cases, EPR is used as a matrix to make composite materials with fibers or metals. 5 However, for the product, even if there is a difference in the retirement time of different components in the composite material, it can only be retired as a whole. This difference makes the high-added-value materials in it, such as fibers or metals, still retain a large recycling value when the entire composite material is retired.…”

“…Considering the application of EPR, it is usually not used as a single component to make products. In most cases, EPR is used as a matrix to make composite materials with fibers or metals . However, for the product, even if there is a difference in the retirement time of different components in the composite material, it can only be retired as a whole.…”