Modelling Methods of Magnetohydrodynamic Phenomena Occurring in a Channel of the Device Used to Wash out Spent Automotive Catalyst on Metallic Substrate by a Liquid Metal

Abstract

The recovery of precious metals is necessary for environmental and economic reasons. Spent catalysts from automotive industry containing precious metals are very attractive recyclable material because as the devices. they have to be periodically renovated and eventually replaced. Among automotive catalysts withdrawn from use, these with metallic carrier constitute quite a big group. Metallic carriers are usually obtained from steel FeCrAl , which is covered by a layer of PGM acting as a catalyst. World literature describes a number of pyro-or hydrometallurgical methods used for recovery of platinum from used automobile catalytic converters. However, all methods, available in the literature, are used to recover platinum from ceramic carrier. This paper presents the new method of removing platinum from the spent catalytic converters applying lead as a collector metal in a device used to wash out platinum by using mangetohydrodynamic pump. The article includes the description of the methods used in modelling magnetohydrodynamic phenomena (coupled analysis of the electromagnetic, temperature and flow fields) occurring in this particular device for this kind of waste. The general phenomena and ways of coupling the various physical fields for this type of calculation have also been described. The basic computational techniques with a discussion of their advantages and disadvantages have been presented.