Process simulation and life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical recycling routes of waste printed circuit boards

Tianxiang Nan; Jianguang Yang; Riina Aromaa-Stubb; Qiang Zhu; Mari Lundström

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458

Process simulation and life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical recycling routes of waste printed circuit boards

Tianxiang Nan
, Jianguang Yang^*
, Riina Aromaa-Stubb
, Qiang Zhu
, Mari Lundström^*

^*Tämän työn vastaava kirjoittaja

Central South University
National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Energy Storage Materials

Tutkimustuotos: Lehtiartikkeli › Article › Scientific › vertaisarvioitu

31 Sitaatiot (Scopus)

Abstrakti

Electronic waste remains a pressing global environmental concern. Addressing the proper treatment and recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is imperative to mitigate environmental pollution and prevent the loss of valuable resources. In this study, a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline leaching processes for recovering base metals (Cu, Sn, Zn, and Ni) from WPCBs was conducted by process simulation (using HSC software). Life cycle inventories were compiled accordingly. Furthermore, by incorporating an alternative method for precious metal recovery, the life cycles (using openLCA software) of both processes for recovering all metals were examined. The results revealed that while the acidic leaching process showed higher recoveries for base metals and advantages in terms of lower electricity consumption and wastewater generation, it also exhibited a more pronounced environmental impact due to the chemical input in the HNO₃ leaching process. Conversely, the alkaline leaching process utilized fewer chemicals, generated less solid waste and off-gases, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact. For recycling 1 t of WPCBs, the acidic leaching process achieved recoveries of 92% for tin, 99% for copper, 79% for zinc, and 94% for nickel, whereas the alkaline leaching process yielded recoveries of 96%, 93%, 78%, and 74% for the corresponding metals. Notably, the alkaline leaching process demonstrated a lower global warming potential of 11,395 kg CO₂ eq, compared to the 12,459 kg CO₂ eq associated with the acidic leaching process. In the evaluation of the alkaline leaching process, most environmental impacts were found to be lower than for virgin production. As a result, while the acidic leaching process is indeed more efficient in metal recycling, the alkaline leaching process emerges as a stronger contender in terms of environmental sustainability, with great potential for further technical improvements.

Alkuperäiskieli	Englanti
Artikkeli	140458
Julkaisu	Journal of Cleaner Production
Vuosikerta	435
Varhainen verkossa julkaisun päivämäärä	30 jouluk. 2023
DOI - pysyväislinkit	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458
Tila	Julkaistu - 5 tammik. 2024
OKM-julkaisutyyppi	A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Rahoitus

This work was supported by the Hunan Provincial Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2022GK2009 ), the Hunan High-tech Industry Science and Technology Innovation Leading Plan (Grant No. 2021GK4004 ), the Guangxi Science and Technology Program (Grant No. GuikeAD20297319 ), and the Operation Subsidy Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory (Grant No. 21-220-09 ). The authors also acknowledge collaboration with the Business Finland-financed TOCANEM project (Grant No. 41778/31/2020 ), financial support from the China Scholarship Council (Grant No. 202206370103 ), and the support provided by the School of Chemical Engineering in Aalto University as well as the Academy of Finland -funded RawMatTERS Finland Infrastructure (RAMI).

YK:n kestävän kehityksen tavoitteet

Tämä tuotos edistää seuraavia kestävän kehityksen tavoitteita:

SDG 6 – Puhdas vesi ja puhtaanapito
SDG 9 – Teollisuus, innovaatiot ja infrastruktuuri
SDG 11 – Kestävät kaupungit ja yhteisöt
SDG 12 – Vastuullinen kulutus ja tuotanto
SDG 13 – Ilmastotoimet

Pääsy asiakirjaan

10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458

Muut tiedostot ja linkit

Linkki julkaisuun Scopuksessa

-: TOCANEM, Hydro
Lundström, M. (Vastuullinen johtaja), Makarava, I. (Projektin jäsen), Palomäki, H. (Projektin jäsen), Lampinen, A. (Projektin jäsen), Wang, Z. (Projektin jäsen), Aji, A. (Projektin jäsen), Sahlman, M. (Projektin jäsen), Song, Y. (Projektin jäsen), Wilson, B. (Projektin jäsen), Alajoki, J. (Projektin jäsen), Rinne, M. (Projektin jäsen), Tochenaia, A. (Projektin jäsen), Halli, P. (Projektin jäsen), Sibarani, D. (Projektin jäsen), Aromaa, J. (Projektin jäsen) & Aromaa-Stubb, R. (Projektin jäsen)
01/09/2020 → 31/12/2023
Projekti: Business Finland: Other research funding

Raaka-aineiden tutkimusinfrastruktuuri
Karppinen, M. (Manager)
Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu
Laitteistot/tilat: Facility

New Environmental Impact Study Results Reported from Schools of Metallurgical and Environment (Process Simulation and Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrometallurgical Recycling Routes of Waste Printed Circuit Boards)
Lundström, M.
28/02/2024
1 kohde/ Medianäkyvyys
Lehdistö/media: Esiintyminen mediassa

Siteeraa tätä

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title = "Process simulation and life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical recycling routes of waste printed circuit boards",

abstract = "Electronic waste remains a pressing global environmental concern. Addressing the proper treatment and recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is imperative to mitigate environmental pollution and prevent the loss of valuable resources. In this study, a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline leaching processes for recovering base metals (Cu, Sn, Zn, and Ni) from WPCBs was conducted by process simulation (using HSC software). Life cycle inventories were compiled accordingly. Furthermore, by incorporating an alternative method for precious metal recovery, the life cycles (using openLCA software) of both processes for recovering all metals were examined. The results revealed that while the acidic leaching process showed higher recoveries for base metals and advantages in terms of lower electricity consumption and wastewater generation, it also exhibited a more pronounced environmental impact due to the chemical input in the HNO3 leaching process. Conversely, the alkaline leaching process utilized fewer chemicals, generated less solid waste and off-gases, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact. For recycling 1 t of WPCBs, the acidic leaching process achieved recoveries of 92\% for tin, 99\% for copper, 79\% for zinc, and 94\% for nickel, whereas the alkaline leaching process yielded recoveries of 96\%, 93\%, 78\%, and 74\% for the corresponding metals. Notably, the alkaline leaching process demonstrated a lower global warming potential of 11,395 kg CO2 eq, compared to the 12,459 kg CO2 eq associated with the acidic leaching process. In the evaluation of the alkaline leaching process, most environmental impacts were found to be lower than for virgin production. As a result, while the acidic leaching process is indeed more efficient in metal recycling, the alkaline leaching process emerges as a stronger contender in terms of environmental sustainability, with great potential for further technical improvements.",

keywords = "Environmental impacts, Life cycle assessment, Metal recycling, Process simulation, Waste printed circuit boards",

author = "Tianxiang Nan and Jianguang Yang and Riina Aromaa-Stubb and Qiang Zhu and Mari Lundstr{\"o}m",

note = "Funding Information: This work was supported by the Hunan Provincial Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2022GK2009 ), the Hunan High-tech Industry Science and Technology Innovation Leading Plan (Grant No. 2021GK4004 ), the Guangxi Science and Technology Program (Grant No. GuikeAD20297319 ), and the Operation Subsidy Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory (Grant No. 21-220-09 ). The authors also acknowledge collaboration with the Business Finland-financed TOCANEM project (Grant No. 41778/31/2020 ), financial support from the China Scholarship Council (Grant No. 202206370103 ), and the support provided by the School of Chemical Engineering in Aalto University as well as the Academy of Finland -funded RawMatTERS Finland Infrastructure (RAMI). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023",

year = "2024",

month = jan,

day = "5",

doi = "10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458",

language = "English",

volume = "435",

journal = "Journal of Cleaner Production",

issn = "0959-6526",

publisher = "Elsevier",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Process simulation and life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical recycling routes of waste printed circuit boards

AU - Nan, Tianxiang

AU - Yang, Jianguang

AU - Aromaa-Stubb, Riina

AU - Zhu, Qiang

AU - Lundström, Mari

N1 - Funding Information: This work was supported by the Hunan Provincial Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. 2022GK2009 ), the Hunan High-tech Industry Science and Technology Innovation Leading Plan (Grant No. 2021GK4004 ), the Guangxi Science and Technology Program (Grant No. GuikeAD20297319 ), and the Operation Subsidy Project of Guangxi Key Laboratory (Grant No. 21-220-09 ). The authors also acknowledge collaboration with the Business Finland-financed TOCANEM project (Grant No. 41778/31/2020 ), financial support from the China Scholarship Council (Grant No. 202206370103 ), and the support provided by the School of Chemical Engineering in Aalto University as well as the Academy of Finland -funded RawMatTERS Finland Infrastructure (RAMI). Publisher Copyright: © 2023

PY - 2024/1/5

Y1 - 2024/1/5

N2 - Electronic waste remains a pressing global environmental concern. Addressing the proper treatment and recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is imperative to mitigate environmental pollution and prevent the loss of valuable resources. In this study, a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline leaching processes for recovering base metals (Cu, Sn, Zn, and Ni) from WPCBs was conducted by process simulation (using HSC software). Life cycle inventories were compiled accordingly. Furthermore, by incorporating an alternative method for precious metal recovery, the life cycles (using openLCA software) of both processes for recovering all metals were examined. The results revealed that while the acidic leaching process showed higher recoveries for base metals and advantages in terms of lower electricity consumption and wastewater generation, it also exhibited a more pronounced environmental impact due to the chemical input in the HNO3 leaching process. Conversely, the alkaline leaching process utilized fewer chemicals, generated less solid waste and off-gases, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact. For recycling 1 t of WPCBs, the acidic leaching process achieved recoveries of 92% for tin, 99% for copper, 79% for zinc, and 94% for nickel, whereas the alkaline leaching process yielded recoveries of 96%, 93%, 78%, and 74% for the corresponding metals. Notably, the alkaline leaching process demonstrated a lower global warming potential of 11,395 kg CO2 eq, compared to the 12,459 kg CO2 eq associated with the acidic leaching process. In the evaluation of the alkaline leaching process, most environmental impacts were found to be lower than for virgin production. As a result, while the acidic leaching process is indeed more efficient in metal recycling, the alkaline leaching process emerges as a stronger contender in terms of environmental sustainability, with great potential for further technical improvements.

AB - Electronic waste remains a pressing global environmental concern. Addressing the proper treatment and recycling of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is imperative to mitigate environmental pollution and prevent the loss of valuable resources. In this study, a comparative analysis of acidic and alkaline leaching processes for recovering base metals (Cu, Sn, Zn, and Ni) from WPCBs was conducted by process simulation (using HSC software). Life cycle inventories were compiled accordingly. Furthermore, by incorporating an alternative method for precious metal recovery, the life cycles (using openLCA software) of both processes for recovering all metals were examined. The results revealed that while the acidic leaching process showed higher recoveries for base metals and advantages in terms of lower electricity consumption and wastewater generation, it also exhibited a more pronounced environmental impact due to the chemical input in the HNO3 leaching process. Conversely, the alkaline leaching process utilized fewer chemicals, generated less solid waste and off-gases, resulting in a lower overall environmental impact. For recycling 1 t of WPCBs, the acidic leaching process achieved recoveries of 92% for tin, 99% for copper, 79% for zinc, and 94% for nickel, whereas the alkaline leaching process yielded recoveries of 96%, 93%, 78%, and 74% for the corresponding metals. Notably, the alkaline leaching process demonstrated a lower global warming potential of 11,395 kg CO2 eq, compared to the 12,459 kg CO2 eq associated with the acidic leaching process. In the evaluation of the alkaline leaching process, most environmental impacts were found to be lower than for virgin production. As a result, while the acidic leaching process is indeed more efficient in metal recycling, the alkaline leaching process emerges as a stronger contender in terms of environmental sustainability, with great potential for further technical improvements.

KW - Environmental impacts

KW - Life cycle assessment

KW - Metal recycling

KW - Process simulation

KW - Waste printed circuit boards

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85181837634

U2 - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458

DO - 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140458

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85181837634

SN - 0959-6526

VL - 435

JO - Journal of Cleaner Production

JF - Journal of Cleaner Production

M1 - 140458

ER -

Process simulation and life cycle assessment of hydrometallurgical recycling routes of waste printed circuit boards

Abstrakti

Rahoitus

YK:n kestävän kehityksen tavoitteet

Pääsy asiakirjaan

Muut tiedostot ja linkit

Sormenjälki

Projektit

-: TOCANEM, Hydro

Laitteet

Raaka-aineiden tutkimusinfrastruktuuri

Lehtileikkeet

New Environmental Impact Study Results Reported from Schools of Metallurgical and Environment (Process Simulation and Life Cycle Assessment of Hydrometallurgical Recycling Routes of Waste Printed Circuit Boards)

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