Recovery of nickel-containing coatings with hydro-biotechnological methods
- Metal-coated thermoplastic parts find more and more functional and aesthetic applications in the interior and exterior of cars. The vapor-deposited or electroplated coatings are usually composed of a plurality of nickel- and chromium-containing layers, which are applied to copper-containing carrier layers on the polymers. Previously, recycling processes are mainly focussed at the recovery or thermal utilization of the plastics. Targeted and selective recycling of the metallic coatings is usually not carried out. Together with several SME, BTU developed a process, in which a complete and separate recovery of all components in high purity is possible with biotechnological methods. The bioleaching is carried out with iron and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, esp. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The copper-containing layers are dissolved in the solution; chromium- and nickel-containing particles are precipitated as solids. After the bioleaching, a mechanical separation of the individual metal-containing components and their separate workup areMetal-coated thermoplastic parts find more and more functional and aesthetic applications in the interior and exterior of cars. The vapor-deposited or electroplated coatings are usually composed of a plurality of nickel- and chromium-containing layers, which are applied to copper-containing carrier layers on the polymers. Previously, recycling processes are mainly focussed at the recovery or thermal utilization of the plastics. Targeted and selective recycling of the metallic coatings is usually not carried out. Together with several SME, BTU developed a process, in which a complete and separate recovery of all components in high purity is possible with biotechnological methods. The bioleaching is carried out with iron and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, esp. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. The copper-containing layers are dissolved in the solution; chromium- and nickel-containing particles are precipitated as solids. After the bioleaching, a mechanical separation of the individual metal-containing components and their separate workup are carried out. End-products are metallic copper, a nickel- and chromium-containing solid and the cleaned plastics. The bioleaching ensures a high purity of the end products. Through the use of bacteria, which are also found in nature, the process is environmentally friendly. Compared to chemical leaching using inorganic acids, considerably shorter leaching times can be achieved. In addition to the optimization of the leaching process, the R/D-project also includes the development and testing of the apparatus technology.…
Author: | Jens Markowski, Harry Pempel, Peter Ay |
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ISBN: | 978-1-926872-36-0 |
Title of the source (English): | COM 2017, Conference of Metallurgists (MetSoc), The 56th Annual Conference of Metallurgists, hosting World Gold and Nickel-Cobalt, August 27-30, 2017, Hyatt Regency Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
Publisher: | Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum |
Place of publication: | Vancouver |
Document Type: | Conference Proceeding |
Language: | English |
Year of publication: | 2017 |
Contributing Corporation: | Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum |
Tag: | Bioleaching; End-of-life-vehicles; Recycling; electroplated plastics |
Faculty/Chair: | Fakultät 2 Umwelt und Naturwissenschaften / FG Aufbereitungstechnik und Sekundärrohstofftechnologie (ehemals) |