Characterization of particle size-based deportment of metals in various waste printed circuit boards towards metal recovery

Abstract

The particle size-based metal characterization of comminution fines of printed circuit board (PCB) of obsolete computer, laptop, and television (TV) was performed scoping towards the prioritization of target metals for efficient beneficiation. The metal characterization results revealed that the distribution of base metals such as Cu, Zn, Al, Pb, Cr, Mn, Be, Mo, and Sb was the highest in the comminution fines of the size range of 0.18–0.25 mm. The size fraction of 0.075–0.18 mm was observed to contain the maximum deportment of other base metals viz., Cd, Ni, Se, As, Co, and V. A considerable content of Ba and rare earth metals (REMs) was found to be present in the particle size range of 0.038–0.075 mm and thereby making them the most suitable feed for extraction of the respective metals. Taking into consideration the high deportment of Au and Ag in size fractions of 0.075–0.18 mm and 0.038–0.075 mm in the computer and laptop, and TV PCB comminution fines, respectively, the extraction of precious metals can be accomplished more resourcefully from these size fractions. Further, the particle size-based metal characterization results were validated using scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).