Recovery of metal fractions from waste printed circuit boards via the vibrated gas-solid fluidized bed

The vibrated gas-solid fluidized bed based on fluidized separation technology was used to recycle the metallic fraction of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). The size fraction composition and element distribution of the crushed products were analyzed by sieving and X-ray fluorescence, respectively. The contents of Cu, Zn, Fe and Ti in various size fractions had significant differences, resulting in preliminary enrichment. The performance of vibration on the fluidization characteristics of WPCBs powder was described. With fluidization number, vibration frequency and vibration amplitude as variables, the separation performance of WPCBs powder under various operational conditions was studied. With the optimum operated conditions, the optimal recovery rates of metallic fraction of the three size fractions of 1-0.5 mm, 0.5-0.25 mm and 0.25-0.125 mm were 88.53%, 95.61% and 82.28%, respectively. The vibrated gas-solid fluidized bed can effectively enrich and recover the metallic fraction of WPCBs, providing convenience for subsequent separation. (c) 2020 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier B.V. and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study successfully utilized a vibrated gas-solid fluidized bed to recover the metallic fraction of waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs), achieving high separation and recovery efficiency by adjusting operational conditions such as vibration frequency and amplitude.