Research

Physical Sciences

Title :

Recycling of valuable metals from discarded printed circuit boards

Area of research :

Physical Sciences

Focus area :

Waste Processing and Recycling

Principal Investigator :

Prof. Nikhil Dhawan, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Roorkee, Uttarakhand (247667)

Timeline Start Year :

2023

Timeline End Year :

2026

Contact info :

Details

Executive Summary :

This project aims to develop an eco-friendly methodology for the valorization of waste PCBs using pyro-hydro-electrometallurgical processes for the recovery of valuable metals. The Indo-Serbian team aims to address the complexity of PCB recycling by developing an alternative hydro-pyro metallurgical processing route. The proposed recycling process includes fluidization, gravity, magnetic separation, flotation or fluidization, hydro/pyro processing, and electrolytic processing to recover transition metals and precious metals. The process scales up to batch treatment of 1-10 kg PCB mass, aiming for efficient recovery of value from existing PCBs and anticipating next-generation PCBs. The project also aims to reduce electronic waste generation, emissions of polluting gases, and suspended particles into the air, soil, and wastewater. The environmental aspect of the project includes increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in e-waste recycling.

Total Budget (INR):

9,45,000

Organizations involved