PFI-RP: Development of a SMART (Sustainable Materials and Recovery Technology) Process for the Recovery of High-Value Metals from Electronic Waste

这个创新研究伙伴关系（PFI-RP）项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是开发一种新颖的、环保的、有利可图的回收过程，利用先进的化学和设备设计，从废弃印刷电路板中回收有价值的和关键的金属。目前，回收废弃电子产品最常用的方法是通过熔炼过程中的燃烧或通过低成本的离岸劳动力。如果成功，该项目将为回收商提供一个简单、高效和低成本的选择，以发展垂直整合的国内供应链，从电子废物中回收关键和有价值的金属。这一过程将直接取代电子废物的燃烧，大大减少对环境的影响。成功将提高国内回收供应链的经济可行性，并通过减少对弱势社区的剥削进一步促进环境正义。拟议的项目旨在开发一种综合的、低成本的、近闭环系统，用于使用液体系统回收金属，而不使用刺激性酸或氰化物。为了实现这一目标，多学科团队寻求1)开发使用再生氧化剂综合浸出贱金属的控制方法，2)设计并验证用于回收铜的小型零排放和可扩展的金属电镀反应器，3)开发电解质净化策略以减少废物流，4)演示金的浸出和回收。预期的产出将是电子废物回收的综合流程图、经济价值流图和技术可行性的技术/经济评估。该项目的成功完成将促进循环经济，保护稀缺的全球资源。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Partnerships for Innovation – Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) project is to develop a novel, environmentally friendly, profitable recycling process utilizing advanced chemistry and equipment design for the recovery of valuable and critical metals from waste printed circuit boards. Currently, the most common methods used to recycle waste electronics are through combustion in a smelting process or through low cost, off-shore labor. If successful, the project will enable a simple, efficient, and low-cost option for recyclers to develop vertically-integrated, domestic supply chains for the recovery of critical and valuable metals from electronic wastes. This process will be a direct replacement to the combustion of E-Wastes with significant reduction in environmental impact. Success will enhance the economic viability of the domestic recycling supply chain and further contribute to environmental justice by lowering exploitation of vulnerable communities. The proposed project aims to develop an integrated, low-cost, near closed loop system for the recovery of metals using liquid systems without the use of harsh acids or cyanide. To achieve this objective the multidisciplinary team seeks to 1) develop control methodologies for the integrated leaching of base metals with the use of a regenerated oxidizer, 2) design and validate a small zero-emission and scalable metal plating reactor for recovering copper, 3) develop electrolyte purification strategies to minimize waste streams, and 4) demonstrate gold leaching and recovery. The anticipated output will be an integrated flowsheet for the recycling of E-Wastes, economic value stream maps, and a technical/economic assessment of the viability of the technology. Successful completion of the project will enhance the circular economy and preserve scarce global resources.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.