A Cleaner Process for Selective Recovery of Valuable Metals from Electronic Waste of Complex Mixtures of End-of-Life Electronic Products

Separation and recovery of valuable metals including silver (Ag) and copper (Cu) from electronic waste mixtures are of great economic and environmental importance. Recent years, semiconductor photocatalysts have been investigated intensively for the removal of Ag from wastewater. Few studies have been carried out on the effect of pH and co-exist metal ions such as Cu on Ag. In this study, ZnO and TiO2 were applied as photocatalysts to target on the selective recovery Ag and Cu from its mixtures under UV light. The effects of pH, catalyst, ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the Ag and Cu photo-reduction were studied. Modeling of Ag[Formula: see text] and Cu[Formula: see text] with and without EDTA distribution together with metal precipitations was plotted against pH to understand the chemistry involved in photocatalysis. Experimental results showed that Ag[Formula: see text] photo-reduction was nearly completed by ZnO and TiO2 to Ag metal, while Cu[Formula: see text] photo-reduction to Cu2O only occurs by ZnO in the presence of EDTA. This work illustrates that semiconductor photocatalysts are suitable for selective recovery of Ag and Cu from wastewaters.

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Electronic Waste Generation Prediction in Bandung City, Indonesia

Environmental and Climate Technologies ◽

10.2478/rtuect-2021-0007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 111-120

Author(s):

I Made Wahyu Widyarsana ◽

Dewi Suryanindah Supramono ◽

Nabil Fadel

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

End Of Life ◽

Mobile Phones ◽

Electronic Waste ◽

Economic Value ◽

Toxic Waste ◽

Delay Model ◽

Waste Generation ◽

Electronic Products ◽

Survey Results

Abstract Nowadays waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) generation is increasing due to the increase in the number of users and the development of electronic products. In Indonesia, there are no specific regulations about WEEE even though it is identified as hazardous and toxic waste. This study aims to predict the WEEE generation from the most used and replaced electronic products by citizens of Bandung City. The data is collected by surveying 400 families in Bandung City. Based on the survey results, there are three types of electronic products that are most used and replaced by citizens of Bandung City, which are mobile phones, laptops and televisions. The Delay Model is modified by replacing the lifespan variable with end-of-life to project the mobile phones, laptops and televisions waste generation in Bandung City. The purpose of this modification is to adjust the pattern of electronic products used in developing countries. The projection results state that Bandung City will generate 0.61 tons/day of mobile phones, 8.66 tons/day of laptops and 3.16 tons/day of televisions at the end of 2020. Based on the results of the projection, WEEE management and recycling is important which can reduce WEEE disposal and increase the economic value of WEEE.

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Electronic Waste

Practice, Progress, and Proficiency in Sustainability - Innovative Waste Management Technologies for Sustainable Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-0031-6.ch005 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 82-97

Author(s):

Moonisa A. Dervash ◽

Syed Maqbool Geelani ◽

Rouf Ahmad Bhat ◽

Dig Vijay Singh ◽

Akhlaq Amin Wani

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Nervous System ◽

Electronic Waste ◽

Endocrine System ◽

Precious Metals ◽

Labor Cost ◽

Waste Streams ◽

Environmental Laws ◽

Electronic Products ◽

Valuable Metals

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the swift waste streams and comprises of end of life electronic products. The Western countries as alternative destinations for disposal ship the wastes to underdeveloped and developing countries where labor cost is reasonably meager and environmental laws are feebly implemented. When not recycled, the e-waste is either incinerated or landfilled. These methods involve not only wasting valuable metals but also creating potential risk for the environment. These substances are detrimental to nervous system, kidneys, bones, reproductive system, and endocrine system, and some of them are even carcinogenic and neurotoxic. Thus, extensive research is needed to evolve sophisticated technology which may help to curb environmental pollution and contribute towards sustainable development in terms of recycling of precious metals.

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