Recycling of Non-metallic Residue from Waste Printed Circuit Boards to Produce Interlocking Concrete Blocks

Sawitri Pianchaiyaphum,Suphaphat Kwonpongsagoon,Premrudee Kanchanapiya,Chakrapan Tuakta

doi:10.18178/ijesd.2021.12.6.1336

Sawitri Pianchaiyaphum, Suphaphat Kwonpongsagoon + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.18178/ijesd.2021.12.6.1336

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Abstract

The process of copper recovery from waste printed circuit board has generated large amounts of non-metallic fraction (NMF) residue. In this research, the residue was recycled as a substitute for fine aggregates at 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% to produce interlocking concrete blocks. Properties of the interlocking concrete blocks produced in this study, such as density, water absorption, compressive strength, were firstly examined and the selected mixes were further evaluated for the heavy metal leachability. The results indicated that the NMF residue affected physical, mechanical and chemical properties of NMF interlocking concrete block samples. When increasing NMF contents, the density and compressive strength decreased, while the water absorption increased. In the leachability results, the leaching of Cu decreased as cement content increased, and its concentration level was well below the Soluble Threshold Limit Concentration limit (STLC). Thus, the high content of Cu and all other metals embedded in the NMF material were immobilized in the interlocking concrete block specimens.

Highlights

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world because of the advancements in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and consumer behavior
The reduction of density in the non-metallic fraction (NMF)-interlocking concrete block is directly attributed to the fact that the weight and specific gravity of NMF residue are lower than those of natural fine aggregate
Saengpaeng [20] reported a similar result that the density of concrete and mortar mixed with NMF residue as fine aggregates was lower than that of the controlled concrete and mortar, and the density decreased with increasing contents of NMF

Summary

Introduction

Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world because of the advancements in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and consumer behavior. The massive number of EEE products have become obsolete rapidly, accelerating a significant rise in the volume of e-waste in every country. The increasing amount of such e-wastes is the major environmental concern around the world due to a wide variety of hazardous substances (i.e. heavy metals, flame retardants) contained in the EEE products. The quantity of e-waste generated has been increased at a rate of 5-10% annually, mostly occur in Asia. According to the state of pollution report in 2018 by Thailand Pollution Control Department, during the last ten years WEEE in Thailand has been generated approximately 3 – 400,000 tons yearly [2]

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