Title: Methods for recovering metals from electronic waste, and related systems

Abstract

A method of recovering metals from electronic waste comprises providing a powder comprising electronic waste in at least a first reactor and a second reactor and providing an electrolyte comprising at least ferric ions in an electrochemical cell in fluid communication with the first reactor and the second reactor. The method further includes contacting the powders within the first reactor and the second reactor with the electrolyte to dissolve at least one base metal from each reactor into the electrolyte and reduce at least some of the ferric ions to ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are oxidized at an anode of the electrochemical cell to regenerate the ferric ions. The powder within the second reactor comprises a higher weight percent of the at least one base metal than the powder in the first reactor. Additional methods of recovering metals from electronic waste are also described, as well as an apparatus of recovering metals from electronic waste.

Inventors:

Lister, Tedd E; Parkman, Jacob A; Diaz Aldana, Luis A; Clark, Gemma; Dufek, Eric J; Keller, Philip

Issue Date:

2017-10-03

Research Org.:

Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1397259

Patent Number(s):

9777346

Application Number:

14/845,101

Assignee:

Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22B - PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS

Show more

C - CHEMISTRY C22 - METALLURGY C22B - PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS

C22B11/046 - {from manufactured products, e.g. from printed circuit boards, from photographic films, paper or baths}
C22B3/08 - Sulfuric acid {, other sulfurated acids or salts thereof}
C22B3/10 - Hydrochloric acid {, other halogenated acids or salts thereof}
C22B3/44 - by chemical processes

C - CHEMISTRY C25 - ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES C25C - PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC PRODUCTION, RECOVERY OR REFINING OF METALS

C25C1/06 - or iron group metals, refractory metals or manganese
C25C1/08 - of nickel or cobalt
C25C1/12 - of copper
C25C1/14 - of tin
C25C1/16 - of zinc, cadmium or mercury
C25C1/18 - of lead
C25C1/20 - of noble metals
C25C1/22 - of metals not provided for in groups C25C1/02 - C25C1/20
C25C7/02 - Electrodes
C25C7/06 - Operating or servicing

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02P - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

Y02P10/20 - Process efficiency

Show less

DOE Contract Number:  

AC07-05ID14517

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2015 Sep 03

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 30 DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION