ENVIRONMENT
 

RECOVERY OF METALS & DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS COMPONENTS IN E-WASTE

 

Principal Investigator

:

Prof. S. Subramanian, IISc

Co - Investigators

:

Dr. J. R. Mudakavi

Dr. B. V. Narayana

Dr. S. G. S. Swamy

Budget

:

Rs. 23.90 Lakhs

Funded by

:

DST, GOI

 

Background:

KSCST had taken the project "Recovery of Metals and Disposal of Hazardous Components in E-Waste" sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, to evolve safe and environment friendly methods/processes for safe disposal of Electronic Wastes.

Objectives:

KSCST has taken this project to evolve safe and environment friendly methods / processes for safe e-waste disposal with the following specific objectives:

  • To characterize E-waste for their constituents on qualitative and quantitative basis.

  • To identify the appropriate technological solutions required for –

  • Recovery of base metal like copper

  • Recovery of precious metals like gold and silver and

  • Devise a method for safe disposal of lithium batteries

  • Development of system approach for effective recovery / disposal of e-waste in a safe and environmentally compatible manner.

Methodology:

  • To study the present methods practiced for recovery of copper and gold and disposal methods for lithium batteries.

  • Conducting experiments on laboratory scale on these specific subjects - either to improve the presently used methods or trying alternate methods (e.g., using hydrometallurgical and bio-metallurgical techniques for recovery of metals), keeping in view the safety and environmental friendliness of the process.

  • Developing suitable and economically viable models of these processes which can be easily adapted by recyclers

Achievement in the project:

  • Chemical and biological methods of dissolution of copper, nickel and gold using non-cyanide lixiviants had been developed.

  • The recovery of copper from the leach solutions had been accomplished using electro deposition technique, with over 99% purity.

  • A novel biological process using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans resulted in the generation of gold flakes directly from the printed circuit boards.

  • The recovery of lithium from spent Li-ion batteries has been achieved using carbonate and fluoride lixiviants.

To discuss the outcome of the above project Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology and Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, New Delhi jointly organized one-day workshop on "Recovery of Metals and Disposals of Hazardous Components in E-Waste" on 28th December 2011 at Choksi Hall, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Industrialists, recyclers, private vendors, academicians, stake holders and students participated in this workshop. The detailed project report and outcome of the study will be submitted to the DST-GOI.

Progress:

Dr. M. Prithivraj, Executive Secretary, KSCST welcomed the gathering during inaugural function. The workshop was inaugurated by Shri. M. Puttabudhi IFS, Member Secretary, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Government of Karnataka. The chief guest of the function was Dr. G. J. Samathanam, Adviser & Scientist 'G' head (TDT), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. The presidential address was given by Prof. M. S. Mohan Kumar, Secretary, KSCST. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. J. R. Mudakavi, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science.

Technical Sessions

Technical Session – 1

The technical session was chaired by Dr. K. Natarajan, Professor and Head, Department of Chemistry, R. V. College of Engineering, Bangalore. He gave a brief outline of the session.

The first technical lecture was delivered by Dr. P. Parthasarathy, Chief Executive Officer, E-Parisara Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore on the topic "Recycling methodology in E-Waste".

The second lecture was delivered by Mr. D. R. Kumar Swamy, Senior Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. on the topic "Hazardous Waste Rules and Compliance".

The third lecture was delivered by Ms. P. Binisha, Chief Environmental Officer, GTZ, HAWA Project Karnataka on the topic "Indian-German Experience in recycling and disposal of E-Waste".

Technical Session – 2

The technical session was chaired by Shri. D. R. Kumaraswamy, Senior Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Bangalore. He introduced speakers of the session and gave a brief outline of the session.

The fourth lecture was delivered by Dr. H. Lakhmikanth, Assistant Environmental Officer, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board on the topic "E-Waste management in Karnataka".

The fifth lecture was delivered by Prof. S. Subramanian, Department of Material Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on the topic "Recovery of Precious metals from E-Waste".

The sixth lecture was delivered by Dr. J. R. Mudakavi, Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore on the topic "Safe disposal of Lithium Batteries".

Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion has been arranged at the end of the technical sessions.

Chairperson

Shri A. Manoharan,
Scientist ‘’D”’ and Incharge
Central Pollution Control Board
South Zone, Bangalore

Panel Members

Prof. Palni Velu
Centre for Environment Studies,
Anna University, Gundi, Chennai, Tamilnadu

Dr. H. B. Rudresh
Chief Executive Officer,
Vijaya Metals, Bangalore

Mr. D. R. Kumar Swamy,
Senior Environmental Officer,
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB)

Workshop on "Recovery of Metals and Disposal of Hazardous Components in E-waste"

 

Close