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Title Handling trace elements in WEEE recycling through copper smelting-an experimental and thermodynamic study
ID_Doc 24388
Authors Chen, M; Avarmaa, K; Taskinen, P; Klemettinen, L; Michallik, R; O'Brien, H; Jokilaakso, A
Title Handling trace elements in WEEE recycling through copper smelting-an experimental and thermodynamic study
Year 2021
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107189
Abstract Recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is attracting increasing attention, due to the presence of valuable metals and the risk of environmental emissions associated with WEEE disposal. In this study, the distributions of trace elements (Ag, Ni, Co, and Sn) between copper alloy and magnetite/wustite-saturated iron silicate slags were investigated at 1200-1300 degrees C and P-O2 of 10(-10)-10(-6.5) atm, simulating the conditions of WEEE reprocessing through secondary copper smelting and converting. The high-temperature isothermal equilibration experiments were conducted in synthesized magnetite/wustite crucibles under controlled CO-CO2 atmospheres followed by quenching in an ice-water mixture. The phase compositions and concentrations of the trace elements in copper alloy, magnetite/wustite, and slag were determined by Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis and Laser Ablation-High-Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. The distribution coefficients of all investigated trace elements between copper alloy and slag increased with decreasing oxygen partial pressure and increasing temperature. Ag distributed strongly into the copper alloy at all conditions, whereas Co mainly deported into the slag phase. Ni and Sn were concentrated in the alloy at lower P-O2 and in the slag at higher P-O2. Varying concentrations of Ni, Co, and Sn were also dissolved into the solid magnetite/wustite phase.
Author Keywords Trace elements; WEEE; Circular economy; Resource efficiency; Copper smelting
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000704624000002
WoS Category Engineering, Chemical; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing
Research Area Engineering; Mineralogy; Mining & Mineral Processing
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107189
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