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Recovery of Metals from Printed Circuit Boards by Gold-REC 1 Hydrometallurgical Process

Author

Listed:
  • Nicolò Maria Ippolito

    (Department of Industrial and Computer Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Marco Passadoro

    (Department of Industrial and Computer Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Francesco Ferella

    (Department of Industrial and Computer Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Giorgio Pellei

    (Department of Industrial and Computer Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Francesco Vegliò

    (Department of Industrial and Computer Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy)

Abstract

The paper describes a small full-scale plant based on the Gold-REC 1 process, designed and patented by the University of L’Aquila; the hydrometallurgical process allows the treatment of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The first step is a mechanical treatment to reduce the size of the scraps below 2 mm. The extraction of base metals occurs in a first reactor by a sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide solution. After filtration, the solid is leached again with thiourea and ferric sulfate in a sulfuric acid solution to extract gold and silver. This second solution is sent to an electrolytic cell where gold is recovered as metal powder. The resulting solution undergoes a second electrowinning, where silver is deposited on the cathode. The first pregnant solution undergoes recovery of Cu and Sn. A simulation was developed using lab-scale trial results. The 350 tons PCBs/year, running in a batch operating mode, produces around 43.8 kg/year of gold, 85.8 kg/year of silver, 42.4 tons/year of copper, and 7.2 tons/year of tin oxide. The results show the profitability of the process: the net present value is EUR 10.7 M, with an internal rate of return of 150% and a discounted payback time of 2 years.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolò Maria Ippolito & Marco Passadoro & Francesco Ferella & Giorgio Pellei & Francesco Vegliò, 2023. "Recovery of Metals from Printed Circuit Boards by Gold-REC 1 Hydrometallurgical Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:9:p:7348-:d:1135565
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    Cited by:

    1. Idiano D’Adamo & Massimo Gastaldi & Jacopo Piccioni & Paolo Rosa, 2023. "The Role of Automotive Flexibility in Supporting the Diffusion of Sustainable Mobility Initiatives: A Stakeholder Attitudes Assessment," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(3), pages 459-481, September.
    2. Idiano D’Adamo & Cinzia Daraio & Simone Di Leo & Léopold Simar, 2024. "A Flexible and Sustainable Analysis of Waste Efficiency at the European Level," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 25(4), pages 881-894, December.

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