Grantee Research Project Results
Spouted Bed Electrolytic Recovery of Metals for Source Reduction and Waste Minimization
EPA Grant Number: R826165Title: Spouted Bed Electrolytic Recovery of Metals for Source Reduction and Waste Minimization
Investigators: Calo, Joseph M.
Institution: Brown University
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: January 14, 1998 through January 13, 2001 (Extended to January 13, 2002)
Project Amount: $291,499
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Engineering (1997) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Safer Chemicals , Land and Waste Management
Description:
This project is focused on establishing a sound technical basis for the development of a novel, spouted bed electrolytic recovery (SBER) technology for metals from dilute process waste streams such as are commonly encountered in the metal finishing, aircraft, machinery, and circuit board manufacturing industries.In SBER, the cathode is a moving bed of conductive particles upon which the metal deposits. The treated liquid is introduced into the bed of particles as an upward flowing, high velocity jet at the center of the bottom of a small conical vessel. This jet penetrates to the free surface at the top of the bed, producing a concentric cavity known as the spout. The spout entrains particles which disengage above the bed surface, which then "rain down" on the downward moving, annular bed to be re-entrained, producing continuous toroidal circulation of particles. The spouted bed electrolytic reactor incorporates advantages of both fluidized and fixed bed particulate cathodes, while avoiding most of their important shortcomings.
Scoping data demonstrate that these systems can exhibit superior performance in comparison to other current technologies, with high metal recovery rates at high current densities and efficiencies. This means that these devices can be made quite small (capable of being mounted near individual rinse and drag-out tanks, for example). They have been demonstrated for point source recovery of silver from simulated cyanide (plating) solutions and thiosulfate (photographic) solutions, and also copper from cyanide and sulfate, nickel from sulfate, and gold from cyanide solutions. These systems also exhibit stable operation for long periods of time, unattended. Moreover, the use of metal shot or metallized glass spheres, allows for facile recovery of the deposited metal, in a high quality form which eliminates the production of objectionable byproduct pollutants such as sludges resulting from chemical precipitation processes. All of these characteristics strongly suggest that these devices can be inexpensive, with low operating and maintenance costs, which would be quite attractive both to large industrial concerns, as well as small businesses for which electrolytic recovery has heretofore been an expensive option.
Approach:
An experimental research program is presented to address the key technical issues that must be understood in order to optimize the performance of SBER systems. This involves fundamental hydrodynamic and electrodynamic studies, the results of which will form the basis of a predictive model of system performance for particular metals recovery applications.Expected Results:
The resultant data and the model will provide the basis for the design and detailed economic analysis of these systems for commercialization. An industrial partner is already identified. In addition, the Center for Environmental Industry and Technology of the USEPA, Region I, has indicated an interest in helping promote this promising technology.Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 15 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
point source recovery; electrolytic recovery; pollution prevention; metals; heavy metals; innovative technology; waste reduction., Industry Sectors, Scientific Discipline, Sustainable Industry/Business, Chemical Engineering, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, Manufacturing - NAIC 31-33, Engineering, cyanide solutions, chemical use efficiency, waste reduction, waste minimization, cleaner production, metal plating industry, metal recovery , chemical precipitation processes, circuit board manufacturing, spouted bed electrolytic recovery, waste streams, source reduction, pollution preventionProgress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.