AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT ELECTROCHEMICAL PROCESS FOR THE EXTRACTION OF COPPER FROM SCRAP ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT

Abstract

Increase in the productivity and demand of electrical and electronic products (EEP) gives rise to the scrapped e-waste. Due to the existence of heavy metals in the discarded EEP, the scrap needs to be disposed properly to avoid any environmental damage. This rate of rise of e-waste is high enough to grab the attention of researchers and pollution control boards of respective countries for the proper disposal & recycling of the waste. An evolution in development of sustainable and environment friendly technology for extraction of metals from the waste scrap has started with electrochemical, pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical and bioleaching process. The paper illustrates an electrolysis process for the extraction of Cu. In this research work electrolysis process is carried out with a various combination of electrodes and electrolytes for achieving the maximum extraction efficiency of Cu. In this process of electrolysis, 99% extraction efficiency of Cu is achieved.