Extraction of Copper from Different Copper Treated Wood Wastes

There has been significant increase in production of copper treated lumber since a voluntary halt of chromated copper arsenate (CCA) for residential use by the wood treating industry. Disposal of copper treated wood wastes has become an environmental issue for companies using these products for residential applications. This study evaluated recovery of copper from sawdust of copper azole(CA),micronized copper azole(MCA), alkaline copper quat(ACQ), and micronized copper quat(MCQ) using three different extraction procedures; toxicity characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP), sonication with heated water, and sonication with room temperature water. Two extraction fluids were used, monoethanolamine (MEA) and acidic water. No significant differences in copper recovery were observed between CA, MCA, MCQ, and ACQ using acidic water in any extraction procedures. Copper recovery was significantly higher for MEA than acidic water for all preservatives. Significantly higher levels of copper were recovered for CA and MCA than ACQ and MCQ with MEA extraction fluid