Separation and recovery of valuable/critical metals from the fine dust production waste of printed circuit boards
Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf HZDR (Forschungsstelle Leipzig)
01328 Dresden
Bewerbungsfrist nicht angegeben
Overview
- Master theses / Compulsory internship / Volunteer internship in recycling of end-of-life electronic waste (WEEE).
- In recycling of end-of-life electronic waste (WEEE), copper is recovered as a major metallic component alongside precious metals such as gold, silver, palladium and platinum.
- During PCB manufacturing, processing, or disposal, dust generated also contain these valuable metals. Such fine dust (20 μm – 315 μm) makes recovery of precious metals challenging.
- The present thesis focuses on detailed feed characterization of the fine PCB waste fractions. Physicochemical and particle-based methods for metal identification, extraction, and refining will be designed and developed.
- This approach aims to valorize fine dust classified as hazardous waste through strategies aligned with the principles of the circular economy approach.
- In this thesis project, at HIF, HZDR (Department of mineral processing and process metallurgy) we will pursue the innovation along following steps: 1) Pre-processing of PCB dust; 2) Pre-characterization; 3) Liquid-liquid particle separation; 4) Froth flotation; 5) Hydrometallurgical extraction and recovery; 6) Final characterization; 7) Conclusion with economical optimization.
Tasks
- Pre-processing of PCB dust (comminution, dry/wet sieving and splitting).
- Pre-characterization to know about size distribution, elemental assay, present phases using LD, ICP-OES/MS, XRF, SEM.
- Liquid-liquid particle separation- optimization of the developed process.
- Froth flotation- optimization of the developed process.
- Hydrometallurgical extraction and recovery of Cu and precious metals from concentrated fractions (leaching, solvent extraction, supported liquid membrane).
- Final characterization of recovered fractions (ICP-MS/OES, TGA, XRF, CHNS, SEM).
- Conclude with optimizing the economical process for individual metal recovery.
Requirements
- Field of study in process metallurgy or chemical engineering or similar.
- Curious, Interest in experiments, planning and execution.
- Basic knowledge about the processes mentioned in the topic.
- Good written and oral communication skills in English.
Conditions
- Master thesis
- Start date: by mutual arrangement
- Please upload a short letter of motivation, stating the period of time to start the position, CV, and University certificates
- Online application
- Please apply online: English / German
- Druckversion.
Application
- Please apply online: English / German.
- Druckversion available.
Contact
- Department: Processing
- Contact persons: Dr. Patil, Suvarna Ajay, Kantamani, Rama Swami, Dr. Kelly, Norman