The distribution of valuable metals in gasification of metal-containing residues from mechanical recycling of end-of-life vehicles and electronic waste
John Bachér, Jaana Laatikainen-Luntama, Lotta Rintala, Mika Horttanainen
Abstract
In the recycling of metal-containing wastes such as end-of-life vehicles (ELV), residues are generated in the mechanical pre-treatment stage. Beside organics which is the main part of the residues, they also contain metals that physical separation has not been able to separate. As the current treatment of residues is disposal through thermal processing, the process is not optimized from the point of view of metal's recovery. In this study, three gasification pilot test trials were carried out to identify how metals distribute in the treatment. The feed materials were, shredder residue from ELV treatment, low value printed circuit board from electronic waste recycling and mobile phones. The study revealed that gasification enabled the removal of the organic matter from the feed with a high carbon conversion of between 95.8 and 98.8 %. In addition, the metals were identified to end up mainly in the fine and coarse bottom ash fractions. • Three pilot scale gasification tests on waste samples including metals were studied. • The focus was on the distribution of valuable metals in the gasification outputs. • The gasification abled to remove the organic matter efficiently and liberate metals. • Metals and especially the precious metals end up mainly in the bottom ash fraction. • Both gasification technology and feed properties effects on how metals distribute.