Characterization of Disintegrator Milled Electronic Waste Powders for Materials Recovery

In this paper, the mechanical milling of the Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) was carried out. the new air classification stand was developed for testing the separation of lightweight particles like tinfoil stripes and plastics. the test results for separation of heavier fractions like non-ferrous metals (Al, Cu) are presented. For milled materials characterization the sieve analysis, laser diffraction analysis and a scanning electron microscope were used. the chemical composition of the PCB powders was studied by means of the energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Then, the pyrometallurgical recycling PCB was executed. the mechanisms of thermal degradation and combustion are investigated using TG/DTA and MS machines with the aim of separating and recovering the organic and metallic materials. the mass loss, conversion fraction with the temperature, activation energy etc. are investigated. Some alkalis, such as Na2CO3, NaHCO3, NaOH and CaCO3 were used to control the exhausted toxic gas such as HBr and benzene