Abstract
We propose a novel integrated model for the recovery of tantalum from tantalum-rich waste using a combination of hydrometallurgical and bio-metallurgical processes. To this end, leaching experiments with heterotrophs (Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis and Penicillium simplicissimum) were carried out. The heterotrophic fungal strain leached manganese with an efficiency of 98%; however, no tantalum was detected in the leachate. An unidentified species did mobilise 16% tantalum in 28 days in an experiment with non-sterile tantalum capacitor scrap. Attempts to cultivate isolate and identify these species failed. The results of a range of leaching trials resulted in an effective strategy for Ta recovery. A bulk sample of homogenised Ta capacitor scrap was first subjected to microbial leaching using Penicillium simplicissimum, which solubilised manganese and base metals. The residue was subjected to the second leach using 4 M HNO3. This effectively solubilised silver and other impurities. The residue collected after the second leach was pure tantalum in concentrated form. The hybrid model produced derives from observations from previous independent studies and shows that we can effectively recover tantalum along with silver and manganese in an efficient and environmentally friendly manner from tantalum capacitor scrap.
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Data Availability
The datasets used or analysed during the current study are available in supplementary information or from the corresponding author on a reasonable request.
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Funding
This study was part sponsored by the EU LIFE-funded project “Critical Raw Material Closed Loop Recovery” coordinated by WRAP with EARN, ERP UK Ltd, KTN Ltd and Wuppertal Institute as beneficiaries. LIFE14 ENV/UK/000344.
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Conceptualization, AS (Asma Sikander) and KK (Kerstin Kuchta); data curation, AS, SK (Steven Kelly), KK and ASH (Andrew Hursthouse); formal analysis, AS, SK, KK and ASH; funding acquisition, KK, Anika Sievers, TW (Thomas Wilner) and ASH; investigation, AS; methodology, AS, SK, KK and ASH; project administration, KK, Anika Sievers, TW and ASH; resources, KK, TW and ASH; supervision, KK, Anika Sievers, TW and ASH; writing—original draft, AS; writing—review and editing, SK and ASH. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Sikander, A., Kelly, S., Kuchta, K. et al. Hybrid leaching of tantalum and other valuable metals from tantalum capacitor waste. Environ Sci Pollut Res 30, 59621–59631 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26592-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-26592-3