Precious Metal Refining System for E-waste

BACKGROUND AND PAIN POINTS ADDRESSED

The rapid global proliferation of electronic devices has led to an exponential increase in Electronic Waste (E-waste). This waste stream is not merely a disposal challenge but a hidden urban mine, containing significant quantities of valuable metals, including base metals (like Copper and Aluminum) and Precious Metals (PMs) such as Gold, Silver, Platinum, and Palladium. Traditional landfilling of e-waste is environmentally destructive, leading to soil and water contamination by hazardous substances like lead and mercury.

Our Precious Metal Refining System for E-waste emerges from the dual necessity of environmental stewardship and resource conservation. With primary metal ore grades declining and mining operations facing stringent regulations, recovering PMs from secondary resources like e-waste offers a more sustainable, profitable, and circular economic model. This system provides a technological solution to safely, efficiently, and environmentally responsibly unlock the value trapped within discarded electronics, transitioning waste into wealth.

APPLICABLE MATERIALS

The system is engineered to process a variety of metal-rich electronic waste components, often referred to as e-scrap. The primary feedstocks include:

PCB of computer (Printed Circuit Boards): The most common source, rich in Copper, Gold, Silver, and Palladium.

CPU and RAM (Central Processing Units and Random Access Memory): High-density sources of Gold, particularly gold-plated pins.

Motherboard: Contains a mix of base and precious metals.

Metal components: Various metal parts from electronic assemblies.

Black Capacitor, IC chips, MLCC (Multi-Layer Ceramic Capacitors): Concentrated sources of Palladium, Silver, and Tantalum (not pictured, but often refined).

Tin slag: Residue from soldering processes, containing Tin and other metals.

Plastic packed components: Various encapsulated electronic parts.

Output (Refined Products)

The refining process yields high-purity metals ready for industrial reintroduction:

Platinum (Pt)

Palladium (Pd)

Gold (Au)

Silver (Ag)

Copper (Cu)

Mixed metals (a fraction from the initial separation, which may undergo further refining or sale)

Plastic and fiber powder (separated clean fraction, which can be recycled or used for energy recovery)

Aluminum granules (from initial separation of aluminum components)

PROCESS FLOW

The Precious Metal Refining System operates through a highly integrated, three-prongedapproach: Mechanical, Pyro-metallurgical, and Hydro-metallurgical processing.Theprocess begins with mechanical dismantling and separation (Auto Dismantling,Crushing) toreduce particle size and separate metallic fractions, sometimes using carbonization(Pyrolysis) to remove organics. The concentrated metal fraction then enters the pyro-metallurgical stage(Intermediate Frequency and Converting Furnaces) where high-temperature smelting and oxidation processes occur (~1200-1500°C), separating basemetals into slag and concentrating precious metals into a molten alloy. This alloy is quenchedby Water Broken granulation. Finally, the hydro-metallurgical stage (Gold Stripping,RefiningPlant) uses chemical leaching to selectively dissolve and then recover individual high-puritymetals (Au, Ag, Pt,Pd) through techniques like precipitation and electrowinning,ensuringthe final effluent is environmentally managed with pH adjustment.

MACHINE ADVANTAGES

High Recovery Rate and Purity: The integrated process, combining efficient mechanicalseparation with robust pyro- and hydro-metallurgical steps, ensures maximum recovery ofPMs (≥ 99%) and yields final products of high purity (e.g., Au ≥ 99.99%).

Adaptability to Diverse Feedstock: The system is flexible, capable of handling a widerange of e-waste types, from high-grade CPU to complex low-grade PCBs and plastic-richcomponents, optimizing the processing route for each.

Environmental Responsibility: Compared to crude, open-air burning or acid leaching,the system incorporates dedicated equipment (e.g., carbonization and gold stripping) andwater treatment (pH adjustment) to manage hazardous byproducts, reduce air pollution,and minimize wastewater discharge.

Closed-Loop and Circular Economy: By recovering not only PMs but also base metalsand non-metallic fractions (plastics), the system significantly reduces the need forprimary mining, contributing directly to the circular economy model.

Automated and Safe Operation: The inclusion of machinery like the Auto Dismantlingmachine enhances operational safety and efficiency, reducing manual exposure topotentially hazardous materials.