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Recycling of metal bearing electronic scrap in a plasma furnace

  • Electronic Waste Processing
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Abstract

The recycling of electronic waste and the recovery of valuable components are large problems in the modern world economy. This paper presents the effects of melting sorted electronic scrap in a plasma furnace. Printed circuit boards, cables, and windings were processed separately. The characteristics of the obtained products (i.e., alloy metal, slag, dust, and gases) are presented. A method of their further processing in order to obtain commercial products is proposed. Because of the chemical composition and physical properties, the waste slag is environmentally inert and can be used for the production of abrasives. Process dusts containing large amounts of carbon and its compounds have a high calorific value. That makes it possible to use them for energy generation. The gas has a high calorific value, and its afterburning combined with energy recovery is necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Non-ferrous Metals Department, the University of Science and Technology, Cracow, Poland

    Piotr Jarosz, Stanisław Małecki & Krzysztof Gargul

Authors
  1. Piotr Jarosz
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  2. Stanisław Małecki
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  3. Krzysztof Gargul
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Correspondence to Piotr Jarosz.

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Jarosz, P., Małecki, S. & Gargul, K. Recycling of metal bearing electronic scrap in a plasma furnace. JOM 63, 58–62 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-011-0208-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-011-0208-x

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