E-waste recycling to recover rare earth elements

Introduction

The increasing production of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) has led to a growing interest in the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) due to their critical role in high-tech and clean energy technologies. This synthesis explores various methods and strategies for recovering REEs from e-waste, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges associated with these processes.

Key Insights

High Temperature Pyrolysis:
- High temperature pyrolysis at 850°C can effectively concentrate REEs in the carbonaceous residue of waste printed circuit boards (PCBs). Turbulent conditions enhance the recovery of certain REEs like La, Pr, Sm, and Y.
Hydrometallurgical and Bioleaching Methods:
- Hydrometallurgical routes, including chemical and bioleaching followed by solvent extraction, are sustainable and economically feasible methods for recovering REEs from secondary waste sources such as batteries, LEDs, and fly ash .
- Bioprocess technology offers cost-effective avenues for REE recovery from industrial and electronic wastes, with the potential for large-scale commercial application.
Acidic Leaching:
- Acidic leaching, particularly using HCl, has been optimized for efficient REE recovery from crushed and ground e-waste, achieving high leaching efficiency under specific conditions.
Alkaline Borate Fusion:
- An optimized alkaline borate fusion method has been developed for determining REE content in e-waste, showing higher recovery rates compared to traditional acid digestion techniques.
Urban Mining and Policy Development:
- E-waste is recognized as a valuable urban mining resource for REEs, necessitating the development of new technologies and policies to enhance recycling capabilities and economic benefits while minimizing environmental impact .
Environmental and Health Implications:
- E-waste dismantling and recycling can lead to soil contamination with REEs, highlighting the need for careful management of e-waste recycling processes to mitigate environmental and health risks.

Conclusion

The recovery of rare earth elements from e-waste is a multifaceted challenge that requires a combination of advanced technological methods and strategic policy development. High temperature pyrolysis, hydrometallurgical and bioleaching methods, acidic leaching, and alkaline borate fusion are all promising techniques for extracting REEs from e-waste. Effective urban mining and recycling policies are essential to maximize economic benefits and minimize environmental impacts. The ongoing research and development in this field are crucial for achieving sustainable and efficient recovery of REEs from e-waste.

E-waste recycling to recover rare earth elements

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Concentration of rare earth elements during high temperature pyrolysis of waste printed circuit boards.

High temperature pyrolysis of waste printed circuit boards can effectively recover valuable rare earth elements, enhancing the economic and environmental sustainability of e-waste recycling.

Rare earth elements and urban mines: Critical strategies for sustainable development

New technologies are needed to recover rare earth elements from e-waste, enhancing recycling capabilities in countries without rare earth reserves while preserving the environment.

Towards zero-waste valorisation of rare-earth-containing industrial process residues: a critical review

Rare-earth recovery from industrial process residues can be a valuable resource for cleantech applications when integrated into a comprehensive, zero-waste valorisation scheme.

Review of rare earth elements recovery from secondary resources for clean energy technologies: Grand opportunities to create wealth from waste

Recycling rare earth elements from secondary waste sources, such as battery waste, scrap alloy, spent magnets, catalysts, waste light-emitting diodes, and fly ash, is a sustainable, economically feasible, and environmentally friendly approach for renewable and green energy technologies.

Potential hot spots contaminated with exogenous, rare earth elements originating from e-waste dismantling and recycling.

E-waste dismantling and recycling leads to abnormal rare earth element distribution in soil, with hot spots near pollution sources and concentrations decreasing with distance from pollution sources.

Mechanisms of biological recovery of rare-earth elements from industrial and electronic wastes: A review

Rare-earth element biorecovery from industrial and electronic wastes is a cost-effective approach, with potential for large-scale commercial applications.

Searching patent information on the recovery of rare earth metals from electronic waste

China leads the way in recovering rare earth metals from electronic waste, with various techniques like hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and biometallurgy being developed.

Improved borate fusion technique for determination of rare earth elements in electronic waste components

The optimized alkaline borate fusion method effectively determines rare earth elements in electronic waste, with smartphones being the most enriched source, followed by non-smartphones and computer waste.

Process optimization for acidic leaching of rare earth elements (REE) from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Optimizing pre-treatment and acidic leaching processes can effectively recover rare earth elements from waste electrical and electronic equipment, advancing sustainable, circular economy goals.

Precious metals and rare earth elements in municipal solid waste--sources and fate in a Swiss incineration plant.

Precious metals and rare earth elements in municipal solid waste can be recovered through the Thermo-Re® process, improving resource recovery in the Thermo-Re® process.

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