Viscosity change of Al2O3-SiO2-CaO Slag System with Used Electronic Scrap

Abstract

In order to explore the possibility to extract precious metals from PCB(Printed Circuit Board) scrap by gravity separation, a high temperature melting process was adopted, from the recycling view point, to investigate the influence of viscosity on A1<TEX>$_2$</TEX><TEX>$O_3$</TEX>-CaO<TEX>$-SiO_2$</TEX> slag system composed of PCB scrap. For optimizing the pre-treatment process of PCB scrap, an experimental condition for the complete calcination and oxidation of organic materials in PCB scrap was established and a quantitative analysis of oxidized PCB scrap was also carrie out. It was found that 6 hours were enough for the complete oxidation of PCB scrap at 1273 K in an atmosphere condition. A slag, l5wt%<TEX>$A1_2$</TEX><TEX>$O_3$</TEX>-45wt%CaO-40wt%SiO<TEX>$_2$</TEX>, was chosen as a basic slag composition which is determined based on the quantitative analysis of PCB scrap. Viscosities were measured in slag systems both made from pure fluxes and from PCB scrap with additional fluxes. Slag viscosities composed of pure fluxes were measured to be 5.29 poise and 30.52 poise at temperatures of 1773 and 1573 K, whereas that of PCB scrap with additional fluxes were 3.37 poise and 69.89 poise, respectively.