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By Hideki Yamamoto, Junji Shibata

"The chemical reactions of fluoride and chloride gases with metal chloride or metal oxide are utilized as an effective treatment for harmless disposal. These chemical reactions can be adopted in the temperature range of 80°C~400°C, which is lower than that in the combustion treatment (800°C). Reaction products are metal fluoride or metal chloride which are a harmless and a valuable chemical material as one of new resources. This paper, concerns with a new harmless disposal treatment of toxic global warming gases.IntroductionNew technology to make fluoride and chloride gases such as NF3, CF4, SF6 BF3, Cl2 and BCl3 harmless has been developed and a new concept on the removing toxic gas to be used in the advanced process of materials has been established. The fluoride gases ~re toxic and special type of gases to be used in the process of manufacturing semiconductors and their specific applications include the dry etching of semiconductors, cleaning of CVD systems, an oxidation agent for rocket fuel etc. Especially, NF3 is also attracting an attention as a high-energy source for chemical laser systems. As a fluoride gas like NF3 is, however; toxic and highly stable chemically, if discharged into the atmosphere, it is liable to cause far-reaching adverse influences on global warming in the same manner as carbon dioxide gas and feron gas.Up till now, the combustion treatment method has been adopted for the disposal of the gas, and when treating the gas by high-temperature combustion (800""C), the generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and hydrogen fluoride (HF) have been confirmed: These chemical substances are not only linked with an intense c0rrosion of the combustion systems but also create the generation of atmospheric pollution and acid rains, and therefore, constitute a serious social issue."

Jan 1, 2000

By Maria Kuttig, Christian Ruback, Gerhard Tober, Petra Maier

"It has been demonstrated that there is a strong relationship between work hardening with various post heat treatment and cyclic deformation behavior of structural steel S275. This study contributes to a project developing a process for the complex forming of steel, which combines rolling and bending. Due to the complex geometry of the final work piece, the deformation degree varies greatly. The forming temperature, as well as post heat treatruent, influences recrystallization processes in dependence of the local deformation degree, resulting in inhomogeneous microstructure of the work piece, which affects the quasi-static and dynamic properties. Cyclic creep and hardening or softening has been monitored during constant amplitude loading at stresses near fatigue strength in normalized condition. Work hardening, stress relief or recrystallization influence the cyclic deformation behavior and produces cyclic creep effects. Cyclic softening or hardening and creep were observed to occur in parallel. To what extent these properties are noted depends on the deformation degree.IntroductionThis work is part of a research project developing a new process for the three dimensional forming of steel. For the final product the fatigue strength influenced by the forming parameters is very important. Due to its complex geometry, the formed final plate has different deformation degrees. This leads to different recrystallization behavior and heat treatruent will have different effects on the microstructure. The peak deformation degree cp of the plate will be around -0.5 what leads to the analysis using rolling from 22 mm to 13 mm of thickness. The quasi-static material properties are very important for calculating the preliminary design. However, work pieces which are cyclic loaded need fatigue tests to describe the in-service material behavior. [l] For the prediction and to guarantee the wanted life-time of the part cyclic deformation tests are important. [2, p.23-32] When it is assumed that the work piece will only loaded in cyclic tension, fatigue testing will be done from zero to a maximum force value. In preliminary tests this value is the tensile fatigue strength from a Smith diagram. During processing, here forming, work hardening takes place resulting in strengthening. Therefore, in further tests maximum load can be increased to monitor cyclic deformation mechanism in more detail. However, to study cyclic creep and hardening and softening data should be evaluate over sufficient life time and should not fracture too soon."

Jan 1, 2013

By Xingming Zhang, Huawei Zhang, Yanxiang Li

"A hybrid porous metal with nano-micro double scale pore size and regular-random bimodal porous structure has been fabricated by unidirectional solidification of a lotus-type alloy followed by dealloying treatment to the base alloy. The base alloy selected is a Cu-Mn binary alloy. The lotus-type porous Cu-Mn alloy with straight pores of several hundred micrometers in diameter was manufactured by unidirectional solidification with a mould casting process. Dealloying treatment was then done to the lotus-type porous structure of Cu-Mn alloy. The solid Cu-Mn alloy wall of the lotus-type porous structure was transformed to random porous structure of dozens to hundreds nanometers. The influence of corrosion parameters, such as the current and time in electrochemical corrosion, temperature and corrosion agent in chemical corrosion, on the nano-porous structure formed has been studied systematically.1. IntroductionA hybrid porous metal is a kind of cellular structure with different porous or cellular forms inside, which possesses special properties and can be applied in many fields as fuel cells, catalysis, sensors, etc. Several means have been developed to fabricate this kind of porous material [1-2]. In this paper, a novel process of Gasar plus dealloying is introduced to fabricate a new form of hybrid porous metal with nano-micro double size and regular-random bimodal structure.The Gasar process, also called the metal-gas eutectic directional solidification, that invented by Shapovalov [3] in Ukraine and now in USA some twenty years ago, is used to fabricate porous metals with regularly aligned pores basing on the solubility difference of a gaseous element in solid and liquid metal. Nakajima and his colleagues [4] in Japan studied this process further and called this kind of structure a lotus-type porous metal. They put more attention to various fabrication techniques and properties of lotus-type porous metals. Li heading a group [5-6] in P.R. China studied the mechanism of Gasar process and process controlling techniques. The Gasar pore structure and porosity can be controlled by processing parameters, and a regular Gasar structure with oriented pores distributing uniformly in the solid matrix can be obtained under optimized processing parameters."

Jan 1, 2014

By K. Morsi, S. K. Kassegne, K. S. Moon, A. Numula

"Current Activated Tip-based Sintering (CATS) is a new process for the powder-based manufacturing of macro, micro and possibly nano-scale features and shapes. CATS enables the selective sintering of powders by localizing current activation conditions through an electrically conducting small tip (either in the stationary or moving mode). This paper presents preliminary experimental results on the CATS of reactive mixtures of Ni/Al powder to form nickel aluminide intermetallics. Preliminary investigations on the effect of current on the reaction characteristics are discussed.IntroductionSpark Plasma Sintering (SPS) has been the subject of intense research over the past decade [1,2, 3,4,5,6]. The process boasts remarkable advantages which include ultra fast heating rates (hence by-passing low temperature non-densifying sintering mechanisms), considerably lower sintering temperatures and shorter sintering times than achieved in conventional sintering. The process is however limited to the generation of simple geometries on the macro-scale. Recently three of the authors conducted work on a novel process ""Current-activated tip-based sintering (CATS)"" [7], where electric current is passed through a conducting tip that is placed or allowed to travel over a powder bed/compact to locally sinter powders. lD, 2D and 3D micro-scale sintered shapes can be generated with the possibility of 3D rapid prototyping on the macro/micro or nano-scale. Although CA TS of single phase powders has been conducted, the CATS of reactive powders has not yet been investigated.The Ni-Al phase diagram contains five intermetallic compounds, AhNi, AhNh, AlNi, AhNi5 and NhAl. Out of these intermetallics, NiAl and NhAl have received the vast majority of scientific and industrial interest [8]. NhAl can be formed by reaction synthesis, where nickel and aluminum reactant powders are heated to a reaction ignition temperature at which the reactant powders are converted to the intended intermetallic product. The reaction is exothermic which gives rise to considerable compact self heating, thus instantaneously raising the compact temperature by several hundred degrees which facilitates sintering [8]. Applying and electric current locally would not only provide for a rapid local reactive sintering, but would generate a number of intriguing scientific investigations. For example, of interest would be, how would the reaction propagation and microstructural/phase evolution be affected by the temporal and spatial temperature and current distributions."

Jan 1, 2011

By D. A. R. Kay

Phase stability diagrams are used to predict the abilities of lanthanum and cerium oxides to desulfurize coal gasification products in the temperature range 800-1000 C. Results of desulfurization studies in laboratory fixed bed reactors illustrate the effects of i) sorbent preparation, ii) input gas quality and iii) temperature, on the desulfurization reaction. 2CeO(2-x)(s) + H2S(g) + (1-2x)H2 = Ce2O2S(s) + 2(1x)H2O(g) The results of desulfurization/oxidation regeneration cycles are also reported.

Jan 1, 1989

By David C. Lynch

FeCl3 particulate of 10 to 100 um in diameter was reacted with radicals produced in an oxygen plasma at pressures between 1 to 20 Torr. The particulate, in a fluidized bed, was positioned above the plasma to avoid over heating the oxide product which is known to lead to crust and clinker formation[ 1 ]. Reaction between the iron chloride and the gas phase occurred at temperatures between 66 and 226 °C. Oxygen radicals react with the surface material to a depth of approximately 2.5 4m. Surface material, analyzed with a x-ray technique, indicates that the maximum amount of FeCl3 reacted on a weight basis was found to be approximately 67%. More typically, 40 to 50 wt% of the chloride was reacted within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Jan 1, 1996

By Daniel Kim, Michael Free, Justin McAllister, Urian Marshall, Shijie Wang

"Cathode impurity levels of electrorefined copper were evaluated based on 1/10* scale laboratory electrorefining tests. Cathodes were evaluated near the top, mid-section, and bottom sections of cathodes on both the set and mold sides and strip and scrap cycles. Slime weights were measured, and slime and electrolyte samples were also evaluated for impurities. Results from these tests have been compiled and compared to evaluate the effects of changes in operating conditions and electrode location on cathode impurities.IntroductionMany types of impurities are commonly found in commercial copper electrorefining anodes. The smelter operations that produce the anodes process concentrates that contain a wide variety of impurities that vary based on the mineralogy of the ore. Most anode impurities are removed during electrorefining. However, a portion of the anode impurities is incorporated into the copper cathode product. The mechanisms by which impurities are transported from the anode to the cathode are not well understood. Some impurities can be transported as anode slime particles to the cathode where they are incorporated into the cathode. Other impurities can be transported as dissolved species that are electrochemically reduced with the copper to become part of the cathode. Although research has been performed on anode slimes and impurities [1-4], there is a need for additional information regarding the relationships associated with electrorefining cycles, electrode faces, local electrode positions, anode impurities and specific cathode impurities. The objective of this study was to evaluate lead, arsenic, and antimony cathode impurity trends associated with electrorefining cycles, electrode faces, local electrode positions, and anode impurities. A variety of techniques including electrolyte filtering, anode heat treatment, high electrolyte arsenic concentration, high arsenic and/or lead in anodes, flocculation of slime particles, and appropriate current density control were used to vary cathode impurity levels. Each test was performed only once for a strip cycle and once for a scrap cycle. Consequently, the results for the individual conditions are preliminary and are not the focus of this study. However, the collective set of data with varying impurity modifying techniques provides a broad range of impurity levels, and the associated trends with respect to lead, arsenic, and antimony are discussed in this paper. Approximately 180 analyses of copper cathode were used to track the antimony, arsenic, and lead impurities. Eighteen anode slime samples were also analyzed for antimony, arsenic, and lead."

Jan 1, 2012

By Melvin H. Miles

"Considerable research has been conducted on the anodic oxidation of methanol in fuel cells. The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions to form methanol is the same reaction in reverse, i.e. CO2 + 6 H+ + 6 e- ? CH3OH + H2O. The same catalysts and conditions may operate for both reaction directions. This carbon dioxide reduction reaction, however, must be able to compete with the electrochemical reduction of water to form hydrogen gas. Thermodynamically, the reduction of CO2 to form CH3OH is slightly more favorable than the reduction of water. The use of nearly neutral electrolytes rather than acidic electrolytes makes the reduction of CO2 kinetically more favorable. The thermodynamics of various reaction steps are presented. Similarities exist with the electrochemical reduction of CO2 and the green-plant photosynthesis process that converts CO2 to carbohydrates.IntroductionVirtually all of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere is of biological origin having been generated by green-plant photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide [1]. The net reaction can be represented byCO2 + H2O ? O2 + [CH2O] (carbohydrates, etc.) (1)Chlorophyll and enzymes promote this reaction, and the energy required comes from sunlight. The actual photosynthesis process is a complex multistage reaction and requires 469 kJ mol-1 of energy supplied by the sun. Isotope tracer experiments using 18O have shown that both the oxygen atoms in the O2 molecule originate from H2O, whereas oxygen atoms in the carbohydrates come from CO2 [1]. The total amount of water on the earth is split by photosynthesis and reconstituted by respiration and combustion once every 2 million years or so. The photosynthetically generated oxygen gas temporarily enters the atmosphere and is recycled about once every 2000 years [1]. The carbon dioxide is partly recycled in the atmosphere and oceans after an average residence time of 300 years and is partly fixed by precipitation of CaCO3 and other carbonate minerals [1]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Chang Wei, Zhigan Deng, Jiqiang Liao, Minting Li, Hongsheng Xu, Yan Song, Cunxiong Li, Xingbin Li

"Abstract: Direct ?otation of oxidized zinc-lead ore is characterized by recovery of zinc and lead only around 55% and 50%, respectively. Mineralogical analysis shows that the sample used in the present study is a carbonate hosted zinc-lead ore, with a zinc and lead carbonate content that accounts for 80.14% and 75.63% of the total minerals, respectively. The carbonate hosted zinc-lead ore was hydrothermally sulfidized with elemental sufur and the experimental data indicated that under the conditions employed up to 75% zinc and 82% lead sulfidation extent were achieved. As a result of pre-sulfidation followed by flotation, the recoveries of zinc and lead into flotation concentrate were over 90%. A flotation concentrate was obtained with 52% Zn and 37% Pb from the materials which was treated by sulfidation.IntroductionSulfide ores are the primary source of zinc and lead, and they are becoming depleted; thus, metallurgical investigators are interested in using abundant oxidized zinc-lead ore reserves. The high-grade zinc-lead oxidized ore, which normally has a zinc content higher than 15%, can be disposed of by acid leaching and electrolysis. However, the low-grade ore, which has a zinc content lower than 10%, is difficult to smelt with pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, and the processes are very complicated and expensive in terms of production flow and energy consumption. Therefore, making the low-grade oxidized zinc-lead ore more beneficial has become more important in recent years. Flotation is the most common process, and the primary method of recovering zinc and lead from sulfide or oxide minerals. It is well known that there is a difference between sulfurized and oxidized minerals regarding their separation by flotation. Flotation of zinc and lead oxidized minerals is extremely complex because of the similarities in the physicochemical and surface chemistry of the constituent minerals. There are no known direct-acting collectors capable of producing single metal concentrates [1-3]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Guo-hua Bai, Hong-jing Yuan, Qian Li, Yong-bin Yang, Tao Jiang, Yan Zhang

"The effect of different additives on the bio-oxidation of arsenic-bearing gold ores has been carried out to solve the problems such as long period of leaching, low oxidation rate. The oxidants strengthen the cathodic reaction and thus improve the leaching rate by the increase of electron transfer. Meanwhile, silver catalysis is also effective for the decomposition of arsenicbearing gold ores due to the strengthening of anode reaction. Co-intensification by oxidants and Ag (I) is more efficient to the bio-leaching and the conversion of As (III) because the anode and cathodic reaction of biological oxidation of sulphide ores were both strengthened. The leaching rate reached to 63.94% after bio-leaching 13days by co-intensification of Ag (I) and Fe(III).IntroductionWith the worsening global ecological problems and the gradual exhaustion of available gold resources, metallurgical technology of refractory gold ore has received more and more attention and become possible due to its good advantage of the economic effects and negative effects to the environment. Refractory gold ore, the direct cyanide leaching rate of that is defined as less than 70%, has become an important raw material in gold extraction industry, in which sulfide bearing gold ore represents a large proportion, pyrite and arsenopyrite (FeAsS) is a common gold-bearing mineral. Since the gold is often encapsulated in the crystal lattice of these minerals, destruction or alteration of the ore to liberate the submicron and/or structurally bond gold is necessary[l]. Even if the ultrafine grinding approach also is generally not sufficient for these refractory ores and additional techniques like roasting, pressure oxidation and bacterial oxidation are used to liberate the gold [2]. In the three pretreatment processes, bacterial oxidation is characterized by its new ideas, low cost, no pollution, simple equipment and operation, high leaching index and become the most promising process which has received much attention over time [3-5]. But its further application is limited by some of its own shortcomings, such as long pretreatment time and the toxic effects of arsenic to bacteria on bio-leaching limit."

Jan 1, 2013

By Y. Prévost

The Noranda Continuous Converting Process was commissioned in November 1997 at the Home smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada. It has completed over 18 months of successful operation. Excellent team work and technical expertise contributed to achieve targeted production levels and environmental goals after only a few months of operation. The operating results have demonstrated the flexibility of the process in producing blister copper from a variety of copper feed materials including a combination of molten and solid copper matte, reverts and fluxes. This paper describes the startup activities and process optimization tasks performed during the first year of operation of the new Noranda Converter.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. W. H. Dean

A very sensitive sensor for the detection and measurement of hydrogen in solid steel is described. This technique is non-invasive and uses a collector to sweep the hydrogen emanating from a steel surface and feed to it sensor. This method is particularly sensitive, resolving fluxes to < 2 pI cm?2 S?I, with a linear measurement up to 1000 pI cm&apos;2 S?I, The collector is held on the steel substrate by magnets and it is shown that emanation of hydrogen from the steel is controlled by bulk diffusion of the hydrogen through the steel. The technique is demonstrated to have an excellent response time and reproducibility.

Jan 1, 2001

By Zuomei Jin

A laboratory study was conducted on the separation of Zn, Pb, Cu and Ag from a finely dissem-inated interlocked silver-rich multimetal sulphidc ore. These are often difficult to separate from each other by flotation. The thermodynamic calculations of Zn-S-O, Cu-S-O systems at different tem¬peratures were presented on predominance diagrams. Based on these diagrams the optimum temperature and gas composition were selected for roasting. The results of separating Zn, Cu from calcine by neutral leaching and acid leaching were found to be satisfactory. The distribution of silver in the roasting and leaching processes were tested. A flow sheet was proposed.

Jan 1, 1993

By Nedam Abed

A fundamental study of the sonochemical leaching of chalcopyrite in ferric ion media has been performed to understand and quantify the effects of sonication and other parameters on leaching reactions. The study covers sulfate and chloride media. The main leaching reaction: CuFeS2(s) + 4Fe3+(aq) Cu2+(aq) + 5Fe2+(aq) + 2S(s) (1) was found to be dependent on temperature and initial particle size, but less dependent on ferric ion concentration. Leaching kinetics were not affected by ferrous ion concentration or the amount of chalcopyrite added. Leaching was performed under a variety of sonication and leaching conditions. Reaction stoichiometry was confirmed through detailed wet chemistry analysis and mass balance calculations. The use of ultrasound activation showed a clear improvement in leaching kinetics and amount of copper extracted, sonication having a catalytic-like effect on the leaching reaction. Compared to experiments without sonication, reaction rates were 2-3 times faster at the same temperature, and could be faster by a factor of 20 for the same initial particle size. Regardless of initial particle size, the amount of copper extracted was comparable under sonication, and could be twice that under chemical leaching, implying the avoidance of fine particle grinding. Sonochemical leaching was found to be only temperature dependent, where the best copper extraction was at 75C. Leaching was further enhanced by the use of a grinding aid. The leaching behavior of chalcopyrite particles remained similar with and without ultrasound activation, implying that the known passivation mechanism in the oxidative leaching was not eradicated. Sonication resulted in coarse particle breakage (ultrasonic milling). Sonication did not contribute to particle passivation, as affirmed from different leaching procedures and sonication in aqueous and organic media. Parabolic leaching kinetics were confirmed for leaching experiments.

Jan 1, 2003

By Y. C. Avniel, T. E. Warner

"It is important to be able to measure sulphur and nitrogen in molten iron and steel on-line. Unfortunately, there are no solid electrolytes which are stable under oxidising conditions and in which the ions of these species are mobile. In this paper, novel applications of beta alumina electrolytes are described and the results compared with data in the literature. Excellent agreement was obtained confirming this approach as a viable method of detecting elements whose ions are not mobile in solid electrolytes.IntroductionIn the past two decades, the rate of many processes in steelmaking have increased substantially. The sophistication of chemical analysis has also increased but analytical equipment is frequently positioned a significant distance from the operating plant which dictates that time is spent taking a sample, sending it to the analytical facility, preparation of the analytical sample prior to insertion into the equipment. In many cases, the time taken for analysis can exceed the time taken for the actual process and is now the rate defining step. Furthermore, most analytical methods are unable to distinguish between the amount of element which is dissolved in the steel and that contained in precipitates. Even if the analytical equipment could separate these two, the distribution would have changed between the molten steel and the cast sample. It would be an advantage to analyse on-line for impurities in molten metals."

Jan 1, 1997

By René Bustamante

A GPSS/H simulation is beeing done for a traditional smelter of copper, which envolves a reberberatory furnace, a set of Peirce Smith converters (PSC) and a refining furnace. The objective is to try different plant layouts, being the handling of liquid material at high temperature one the mainly concern, this envolves a study of the ladles and cranes used. Some of the modifications that can be evaluated through the model is the role of oxygen potential when tonnage oxygen is used, number of cranes, PSCs in operation, etc.

Jan 1, 1992

By Takahiko Okura, Satoshi Okano, Hiromichi Takebe

"Fine zinc concentrates tend to become sticky when roasted in a fluidized-bed reactor. The oxidation of high-purity ZnS powders and ZnS concentrates with different particle sizes were studied in terms of phase changes and particle morphologies. The sample materials were directly oxidized to ZnO in a roasting process performed over 700°C. Zinc oxide particles with diameters less than 0.5 ìðé formed at 700°C; the particle size increased by grain growth at 900°C. The coarse ZnS concentrate formed the oxysulfate ZnO2ZnS04 when roasted at 700°C; the sulfate transformed to ZnO at higher temperature.1. IntroductionRoasting is an important step in zinc extractive metallurgy because more than 80% of the world's zinc is produced from zinc sulfide concentrates using the roast-leach-electrowinning [1,2]. Currently, zinc concentrates with a finer particle size distribution are used to enhance recovery rate. However, the finer zinc concentrates tend to produce a sticky calcine in a fluidized-bed roaster [3].The factors that affect products in a fluidized-bed roaster include particle size, contaminant, O2 and SO2 partial pressures, and the feeding method of ore to the roaster. This study examined roasting behavior of high-purity ZnS powders and ZnS concentrates with different particle sizes. The phase changes and particle morphologies of the calcine samples producted from theZnS powders were studied."

Jan 1, 2012

By T. T. Chen, J. E. Dutrizac

Noranda Inc., CEZinc presently employs a cement-stabilization (jarofix) process to stabilize its jarosite residues for direct disposal. In this process, Portland cement partly decomposes Na-jarosite to form Ca6Fe2(SC>4)3(OH)i2.nH20, ferric hydroxide and sodium sulphate which further reacts to form gypsum; approximately one-third of the Na-jarosite reacts in the current commercial product. The cured jarofix products also contain minor amounts of various Ca-Al-Fe silicate-sulphate-hydrate phases and traces of calcite. Together with gypsum and a Ca-Fe sulphate phase, these species bond the various particles together, imparting mechanical strength and reducing the permeability. Water-soluble Zn and Mg are stabilized in the Ca-Al-Fe silicate-sulphate-hydrate phases. The freshly cured products usually contain small amounts of moisture and traces of residual Portland cement, which provides additional alkalinity for the neutralization of any residual acid species. Jarofix products stored for more than six years in the laboratory, after curing, are usually dry and exhibit the same micro-textures as those of the freshly cured products. However, the stored products are depleted in the Ca6Fe2(S04)3(OH)i2.nH20 and Portland cement phases, and are enriched in gypsum and calcite which reflects the highly alkaline environment of the jarofix products. The aged products also have increased amounts of the Ca-Al-Fe silicate-sulphate-hydrate phases which have elevated Zn and Mg contents. This implies a further immobilization of residual water-soluble Zn and Mg during stora

Jan 1, 2000

By G. T. Lapidus

One of Society’s major concerns with hydrometallurgical processing is the large amount of water that is quintessential to its nature. This is especially troubling in arid areas, where the population struggles to procure potable water for their daily needs. For that reason, it has become our responsibility to conceive, design and implement processing schemes that not only use as little water as possible, but recycle streams within the plant itself and minimize waste that exits its perimeter. With this in mind, the conference will center on the importance of selecting the appropriate chemical systems and integrating material balances to avoid reagent overkill and to detect impurity accumulation. The three “R’s” (reuse, recycle and recovery) of aqueous solutions within the processes are emphasized. Examples of processes for the recovery of lead, copper, precious and PG metals from minerals and waste materials will be presented.

By Roberto Giovanardi, Isabella Lancellotti, Luisa Barbieri, Ercole Soragni, Fernanda Andreola

"Recovery of precious metals (PMs) is a present topic, as they are used almost in every electronicelectric device. Gold is the second PM in order of consumption (following silver) and it is almost ubiquitary in electronics where it mainly finds application to produce bonding wires in integrated circuits and as a coating for contacts and connectors. Given this, discontinued electronic and, with a minor role, electric devices may represent a primary source of PMs as gold mines or jewelery wastes.At present the recovery of gold from such waste is generally accomplished by two strategies: by oxidative thermal treatment followed by metallurgical or chemical processes or by cyanide chemical etching; both techniques do not represent the optimum as the first one deserves a great amount of energy and non-combustible pollutant slag and fumes are produced, while the second procedure comports the use of a highly pollutant agent as cyanide.The aim of this work is the characterization of different electronics scraps to evaluate the gold concentration, and the selective recovery of this metal using enviromentally-friendly techniques. In particular, a new process was developed in order to overcome such environmental and efficiency issues. The process reaches the goal of detach the gold film from the substrate by selective leaching of the supporting metal.IntroductionThe treatment of waste from electrical and electronic equipments is a current topic as their role in modern life is increasing. The disposal of such waste represents both an environmental and an economical concern due to the vast amount of both precious and non precious metals.The use of precious metals (PM) in this field is of primary importance given PM’s unique properties, which give to each of them a specific and irreplaceable role. Silver is the most used, with a demand of over 5000 tonnes per year, mainly for switches and contacts in electric appliances. Gold is the second PM in order of consumption (over 250 tonnes per year and 8% of the total demand) and it is almost ubiquitous in electronics where it finds application to produce bonding wires in integrated circuits and as a coating for contacts and connectors. It is also used as solder in integrated circuits (in alloy with tin) or for wide coatings where it ensures protection against corrosion. Palladium, platinum, rhodium and iridium follow in order of consumption [1- 3]."

Jan 1, 2008