Valuable metal recovery system and valuable metal recovery method

Abstract

A valuable metal recovery system (1) is configured from a wastewater treatment device (2) and a valuable metal recovery device (3). The wastewater treatment device (2) is composed of water treatment units including a tank (21), an aggregation and precipitation tank (22), a membrane filtration device (23), and a valuable metal adsorption device (24). The valuable metal adsorption device (24) is detachably provided with an adsorbent column (functional material element). Moreover, each water treatment unit is unitized, can be placed on one or more than two trailers (T), is transported to a drainage site, and is installed on site. The adsorbent column after adsorption is conveyed to a valuable metal recovery device (3), and in the valuable metal recovery device (3), the target valuable metal is eluted or back-extracted from the functional material element filled with the adsorbent material. In this way, a valuable metal recovery system using a functional material capable of selectively adsorbing or concentrating a target valuable metal by using an adsorbent, an extractant, or the like, and capable of recycling the valuable metal by means of methods such as elution regeneration, back extraction, or the like is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a system and method for recovering valuable metals from wastewater, and particularly to a system and method for recovering valuable metals that uses adsorbents, extractants, or other functional materials capable of selectively adsorbing or concentrating target valuable metals and that can be recycled through elution regeneration, reverse extraction, or other methods. Background Technology

[0002] In the past, the recycling of valuable metals with potential for profit has made continuous progress, but valuable metals without potential for profit have been discarded as industrial waste. However, due to the recent increase in expectations for building a circular economy and the rising value of valuable metals such as rare and precious metals, there is a desire to further reuse valuable metals.

[0003] As a method for recovering such valuable metals, Patent Document 1 discloses a method comprising: a step of contacting an adsorbent material with a solution containing a noble metal to adsorb noble metal ions from the solution; and a step of contacting a reducing agent with the noble metal ions adsorbed on the adsorbent material to reduce the noble metal ions and desorb them from the adsorbent material, and then granulating them.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent document 1: WO2023 / 276710. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] However, to recover target valuable metals from wastewater containing valuable metals, facilities for recovering valuable metals are needed at each site where the wastewater is generated. These facilities require wastewater treatment equipment to adsorb and concentrate the valuable metals contained in the wastewater, and valuable metal recovery equipment to recover the adsorbed and concentrated valuable metals. However, when wastewater is generated in small quantities or at irregular intervals, not only does the initial investment burden for valuable metal recovery equipment increase, but the operation and management of these facilities also become necessary. Therefore, users (the main dischargers) who discharge wastewater containing valuable metals lack operational benefits in recovering the valuable metals, becoming a major obstacle to the progress of building a circular economy.

[0009] Therefore, users who discharge wastewater containing valuable metals may consider entrusting the wastewater to a company that can purify the valuable metals. However, if the wastewater containing valuable metals is transported directly from the user's site to the purification plant without reducing its volume, the concentration of valuable metals in the wastewater is very low. This results in an increased wastewater volume, reduced transport efficiency, and consequently, very high transportation costs, which is impractical.

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to provide a valuable metal recovery system and a valuable metal recovery method using the system, which uses functional materials such as adsorbents and extractants that can selectively adsorb or concentrate target valuable metals and uses functional materials that can recycle valuable metals through elution regeneration, back extraction and other methods.

[0011] Methods for solving problems

[0012] To address the aforementioned issues, the present invention first provides a valuable metal recovery system, which is a system for recovering valuable metals from wastewater containing valuable metals. The valuable metal recovery system comprises: a wastewater treatment device having a functional material element capable of adsorbing or concentrating the valuable metal as a water treatment unit; and a valuable metal recovery device for recovering the adsorbed or concentrated valuable metal from the functional material element. The functional material element is detachable from the wastewater treatment device, allowing the valuable metal to be removed and recovered using the valuable metal recovery device (Invention 1).

[0013] According to the invention described above (Invention 1), after the volume of wastewater containing valuable metals is sufficiently reduced by adsorbing or concentrating valuable metals using a functional material element in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be removed from the wastewater treatment device, and the valuable metals can be recovered using a valuable metal recovery device. At this time, by sufficiently reducing the volume of the wastewater containing valuable metals in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be easily removed and transported. Therefore, it is suitable for situations where the wastewater treatment device for the wastewater containing valuable metals and the valuable metal recovery device for recovering the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material element are located in different locations. Thus, the wastewater treatment and recovery of valuable metals can be performed independently of the main discharge body containing the wastewater containing valuable metals.

[0014] In the above invention (Invention 1), it is preferable that the valuable metal that has been adsorbed or concentrated is recovered from the functional material element in the valuable metal recovery device and the functional material is regenerated, and the regenerated functional material is reused as a functional material element again (Invention 2).

[0015] According to the invention (Invention 2), by eluting or back-extracting the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material elements, the valuable metals are recovered and the functional materials are regenerated. The regenerated functional materials are then reused as functional material elements, thereby realizing a valuable metal recovery system that is excellent in terms of circular economy.

[0016] In the above invention (Invention 1), it is preferred that the drainage treatment device consists of one or more water treatment units, and the water treatment unit is a portable water treatment unit (Invention 3).

[0017] According to the invention described above (Invention 3), since the water treatment unit constituting the wastewater treatment device can be transported to the discharge location of a specific user's wastewater, the user does not need to construct the wastewater treatment device as a fixed structure, thus enabling a valuable metal recycling system that reduces the user's initial costs.

[0018] In the above invention (Invention 1), it is preferable to set the drainage treatment device and the valuable metal recycling device in different locations (Invention 4).

[0019] According to the invention described above (Invention 4), since the functional material element can be detached from the drainage treatment device, by removing the functional material element from the drainage treatment device and placing the drainage treatment device installed at the user's drainage discharge location and the valuable metal recycling device at different locations, the functional material element can be transported to the installation location of the valuable metal recycling device. This allows the system installed at the user's drainage discharge location to function as a drainage treatment device, thus reducing the space required on the user's side. Furthermore, by selecting the recycling body of the valuable metal recycling device according to the valuable metal to be recycled, appropriate recycling processing can be performed.

[0020] In the above invention (Invention 1), it is preferable to select the functional material constituting the functional material element in accordance with the valuable metal in the drainage containing the valuable metal (Invention 5).

[0021] According to the invention described above (Invention 5), by selecting functional materials based on the valuable metals that are the targets for recycling, it is possible to prioritize the recycling of the valuable metals that are the targets for recycling.

[0022] In the above invention (Invention 3), it is preferred that the drainage treatment device has a pretreatment device (Invention 6) as a water treatment unit in front of the functional material element, which is composed of one or more of sand filtration, activated carbon, coagulation filtration, coagulation sedimentation, coagulation pressurized flotation and membrane filtration.

[0023] According to the invention (Invention 6), by using a pretreatment device to remove impurities, turbid components, and substances that hinder the recovery of valuable metals, the adsorption or concentration of valuable metals in functional material components can be effectively carried out, thereby improving the recovery efficiency of valuable metals in the valuable metal recovery device.

[0024] In the above invention (Invention 5), the functional material element is preferably an adsorbent column filled with adsorbent material, which is transported together with the adsorbent column to a valuable metal recycling device for regeneration of the adsorbent material (Invention 7).

[0025] According to the above invention (Invention 7), the adsorbent material column is transported to a valuable metal recovery device, where valuable metals are eluted and recovered from the adsorbent material in the valuable metal recovery device, and the adsorbent material is regenerated, thereby enabling it to be reused as an adsorbent material column.

[0026] In the above inventions (Inventions 1-7), it is preferable that the discharge body of the wastewater containing valuable metals is different from the supply body of the wastewater treatment device, and the supply body of the wastewater treatment device calculates the wastewater treatment cost based on the market value and recovery amount of each type of valuable metal (Invention 8).

[0027] According to the above invention (Invention 8), the wastewater treatment device provider calculates the wastewater treatment cost based on the type and amount of the target valuable metal, and a specific user can recycle valuable materials without having either a wastewater treatment device or a valuable metal recycling device.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for recovering valuable metals from wastewater containing valuable metals. This method comprises: a wastewater treatment step, wherein the wastewater containing valuable metals is treated using a wastewater treatment device having a functional material element capable of adsorbing or concentrating the valuable metals and capable of being disassembled as a water treatment unit; and a valuable metal recovery step, wherein the valuable metals are recovered from the functional material element by removing the functional material element from the wastewater treatment device, and the valuable metals are recovered by treating only the functional material element in the valuable metal recovery step (Invention 9).

[0029] According to the invention described above (Invention 9), after the volume of wastewater containing valuable metals is sufficiently reduced by adsorbing or concentrating valuable metals using a functional material element in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be removed from the wastewater treatment device, and the valuable metals can be recovered using a valuable metal recovery device. At this time, by sufficiently reducing the volume of the wastewater containing valuable metals in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be easily removed and transported. Therefore, it is suitable to install the wastewater treatment device for the wastewater containing valuable metals and the valuable metal recovery device for recovering the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material element in different locations. Thus, the wastewater treatment and recovery of valuable metals can be performed independently of the main discharge body containing the wastewater containing valuable metals.

[0030] In the above invention (Invention 9), it is preferable that in the valuable metal recycling process, the adsorbed or concentrated valuable metal is recovered from the functional material element, and the functional material is regenerated, and the regenerated functional material is reused as a functional material element again (Invention 10).

[0031] According to the above invention (Invention 10), by eluting or back-extracting the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material element, the valuable metals are recovered and the functional material is regenerated, and the regenerated functional material is reused as a functional material element, thereby realizing a valuable metal recovery system with excellent circular economy.

[0032] In the above invention (Invention 9), it is preferred that the drainage treatment device consists of one or more water treatment units, the water treatment units being mobile water treatment units, and the drainage treatment device is transported to the location where the drainage containing valuable metals is generated to carry out the valuable metal recovery process (Invention 11).

[0033] According to the invention described above (Invention 11), since the water treatment unit constituting the wastewater treatment device can be transported to the discharge location of a specific user's wastewater, the user does not need to construct the wastewater treatment device as a fixed structure, thus enabling a valuable metal recycling system that reduces the user's initial costs.

[0034] In the above invention (Invention 9), it is preferable to carry out the drainage treatment process and the valuable metal recycling process at different locations (Invention 12).

[0035] According to the aforementioned invention (Invention 12), since the functional material element can be detached from the drainage treatment device, by removing the functional material element from the drainage treatment device and placing the drainage treatment device installed at the user's drainage discharge location and the valuable metal recycling device at different locations, the functional material element can be transported to the installation location of the valuable metal recycling device. This allows the system installed at the user's drainage discharge location to function as a drainage treatment device, thus reducing the space required on the user's side. Furthermore, by selecting the recycling body of the valuable metal recycling device according to the valuable metal to be recycled, appropriate recycling processing can be performed.

[0036] In the above invention (Invention 9), it is preferable to select the functional material of the functional material element based on the valuable metal in the wastewater containing the valuable metal (Invention 13).

[0037] According to the invention described above (Invention 13), by selecting functional materials based on the valuable metals that are the targets for recycling, it is possible to prioritize the recycling of the valuable metals that are the targets for recycling.

[0038] In the above inventions (Inventions 9-13), it is preferable that the discharge body of the wastewater containing valuable metals is different from the supply body of the wastewater treatment device, and the supply body of the wastewater treatment device calculates the wastewater treatment cost based on the market value and recovery volume of each type of valuable metal (Invention 14).

[0039] According to the invention described above (Invention 14), after the volume of wastewater containing valuable metals is sufficiently reduced by adsorbing or concentrating valuable metals using a functional material element in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be removed from the wastewater treatment device, and the valuable metals can be recovered using a valuable metal recovery device. At this time, by sufficiently reducing the volume of the wastewater containing valuable metals in the wastewater treatment device, the functional material element can be easily removed and transported. Therefore, it is suitable for situations where the wastewater treatment device for the wastewater containing valuable metals and the valuable metal recovery device for recovering the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material element are located in different locations. Thus, the wastewater treatment and recovery of valuable metals can be performed independently of the main discharge body containing the wastewater containing valuable metals.

[0040] The effects of the invention

[0041] According to the valuable metal recovery system of the present invention, after adsorbing or concentrating valuable metals using functional material elements in a wastewater treatment device, the functional material elements can be removed from the wastewater treatment device and recovered. Therefore, wastewater containing valuable metals and the recovery of valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material elements can be performed separately. This enables efficient recovery of valuable metals. In particular, the adsorbed or concentrated valuable metals can be recovered in the valuable metal recovery device, and the functional material can be regenerated and reused as a functional material element. Therefore, by eluting or back-extracting the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated by the functional material elements to regenerate the functional material, and then reusing the regenerated functional material as a functional material element, a valuable metal recovery system with excellent circular economy characteristics can be realized. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a valuable metal recycling system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0043] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the valuable metal recycling system of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] [Valuable Metal Recycling System]

[0045] The valuable metal recycling system of this embodiment can, for example, use... Figure 1 The diagram shows a valuable metal recycling system.

[0046] exist Figure 1 In this system, the valuable metal recycling system 1 consists of a drainage treatment device 2 and a valuable metal recycling device 3.

[0047] <Drainage Treatment Equipment>

[0048] The wastewater treatment device 2 consists of a tank 21 for storing wastewater W containing valuable metals, a coagulation and sedimentation tank 22 as a pretreatment mechanism, a membrane filtration device 23 such as MF (microfiltration) or UF (ultrafiltration), and a valuable metal adsorption device 24. The valuable metal adsorption device 24 is detachably equipped with an adsorption material column (functional material element) that serves as a functional material capable of adsorbing valuable metals. Furthermore, these water treatment units can be modularized by installing necessary equipment and piping on pallets that can be loaded onto transport devices such as trailers T, and transported to the customer's wastewater discharge site containing valuable metals by loading onto one or more trailers T, either unloading from the trailer T or installing directly on-site while still loaded onto the trailer T.

[0049] (Drainage containing valuable metals)

[0050] In this embodiment, valuable metals that can be recycled include, but are not limited to, Li, Rb, Cs, Ti, Mo, Ni, In, Cu, Co, Ga, and V. When two or more valuable metals are present in the wastewater W, only one can be recycled, or two or more can be recycled separately, or two or more can be recycled simultaneously. It should be noted that the valuable metals in the wastewater can also be dissolved by immersion in water, acid, or alkali. Furthermore, the leaching water from the waste can be used as wastewater W. In this case, the waste 25 is immersed / washed in pure water to remove dirt and impurities, and then valuable metals are dissolved from the waste using chemical reagents such as acid or alkali. This leaching water can be used as wastewater W, or it can be added to the wastewater W. In this wastewater W, the valuable metals exist in an ionic state, making it suitable for wastewater W with a concentration of the valuable metals ranging from 10 to 10000 mg / L.

[0051] (Pre-processing unit)

[0052] Pretreatment is performed in the coagulation sedimentation tank 22 and the membrane filtration device 23. The pretreatment involves removing suspended solids through solid-liquid separation, or removing (coarsely removing) coexisting substances that hinder adsorption / extraction. In addition, the pretreatment mechanism may also use one or more of the following: sand filtration, activated carbon, coagulation filtration, and coagulation pressure flotation.

[0053] (Valuable metal adsorption device)

[0054] The valuable metal adsorption device 24 is configured to detachably house one or multiple functional material elements, either in series or in parallel. These functional material elements are obtained by filling a column with a functional material (adsorbent material) capable of adsorbing the valuable metal contained in the wastewater W. The shape and size of the column, serving as the functional material element, are appropriately selected based on the volume of wastewater W to be treated.

[0055] As adsorbent materials, ion exchange resins (cation exchange resins, anion exchange resins), chelating resins, various composite oxides containing zeolites, activated carbon, porous silica, porous titanium dioxide, etc., can be used, but are not limited to these substances.

[0056] Cation exchange resins adsorb ionic substances in wastewater by exchanging cations in the resin with cations in the wastewater. For example, they are suitable for adsorbing valuable metals such as Li, Rb, Cs, Ni, Cu, and Co, which exist as cations in solution. Conversely, anion exchange resins adsorb ionic substances in wastewater by exchanging anions in the resin with anions in the wastewater. For example, they are suitable for adsorbing metal ions that exist as oxygen-containing anions.

[0057] Chelating resins are resins incorporating functional groups that form chelates (complexes) with specific metal ions, thereby adsorbing these ions. The most common chelating resins with iminodiacetic acid as a functional group are suitable for the adsorption of Cu, Ni, and Co.

[0058] Zeolites can selectively adsorb cations in aqueous solutions via ion exchange. The cation selectivity depends on the zeolite's crystal structure, but it is suitable for adsorbing Cs and Rb. In addition to these materials, lithium manganese oxide, lithium titanate, and layered double hydroxides can also be used as Li adsorbents.

[0059] Such adsorbent materials are appropriately selected based on the valuable metals to be recovered, and can be used to form functional material elements. Preferably, adsorbent materials that exhibit a high partition coefficient to the valuable metals to be recovered are used. Specifically, the partition coefficient is preferably 100 mL / g (mg / mL-solution / mg / mL-adsorbent) or higher, and particularly preferably 10000 mL / g (mg / mL-solution / mg / mL-adsorbent) or higher.

[0060] <Valuable Metal Recycling Equipment>

[0061] The valuable metal recovery device 3 elutes or back-extracts target valuable metals from functional material elements filled with adsorbent material. This valuable metal recovery device 3 is preferably located at a different location than the wastewater treatment device 2, and receives and processes the functional material elements. The valuable metal recovery device 3 can be configured according to the composition of the valuable metals to be recovered.

[0062] Methods for recycling valuable metals

[0063] Next, a method for recovering valuable metals using the valuable metal recovery system described above will be explained.

[0064] <Drainage Storage Process>

[0065] First, wastewater W containing the valuable metal to be treated is stored in tank 21. This wastewater W containing the valuable metal can be wastewater discharged from various factories or leaching water from waste materials disposed of in various factories. In the case of leaching water from waste materials, the waste is soaked / washed in pure water to remove dirt and impurities, and then the valuable metal is dissolved from the waste using chemical reagents such as acids or alkalis to obtain leaching water. In this wastewater W, the valuable metal exists in the form of ions.

[0066] <Drainage Treatment Process>

[0067] (Pretreatment process)

[0068] The wastewater W containing valuable metals, stored in tank 21 as described above, is transferred to coagulation and sedimentation tank 22 for coagulation and sedimentation treatment. This coagulation and sedimentation treatment removes suspended solids from the wastewater W, or removes (coarsely removes) coexisting substances that hinder adsorption / extraction. Next, a membrane filtration device 23 is used to remove fine suspended solids contained in the wastewater W through filtration.

[0069] (Valuable metal adsorption process)

[0070] The wastewater W, pretreated in this manner, is treated using a valuable metal adsorption device 24. In this device 24, ionized valuable metals are adsorbed using an adsorbent. In this valuable metal adsorption process, based on the concentration of valuable metal ions in the wastewater W, the volume of wastewater W to be treated, and the amount of adsorbent used in the column of the adsorbent in the valuable metal adsorption device 24, an upper limit for the concentration of valuable metal ions in the treated water after treatment by the device 24 is predetermined. The space velocity (SV) of the wastewater W is then set so that the concentration of valuable metal ions in the treated water W is below this upper limit. Alternatively, the wastewater W can be circulated in the valuable metal adsorption device 24 until the concentration of valuable metal ions in the treated water is below the predetermined upper limit.

[0071] At this point, it is preferable to install a cumulative flow meter or other water volume measurement device in the valuable metal adsorption device 24, so that the column of the adsorption material can be replaced before the adsorption material is penetrated. Furthermore, it is preferable to install a valuable metal concentration measuring device for the treated water in the valuable metal adsorption device 24. Based on the concentration and amount of valuable metals in the wastewater W and the adsorption capacity of the adsorption material column for valuable metals, a maximum standard value for the concentration of valuable ions in the treated water, measured by the valuable metal concentration measuring device, is set. When the concentration of valuable metals in the treated water exceeds the maximum standard value, it is determined that the adsorption material is close to penetration, and the column of the adsorption material is replaced. For such replacement of the adsorption material column, the measured values ​​from the cumulative flow meter and the valuable metal concentration measuring device are transmitted to a receiver at a remote location using a transmitting device, and the received data is managed in the management facility. Therefore, by managing the replacement of the adsorption material column, a stable valuable metal adsorption process can be carried out.

[0072] In this embodiment, since the column (functional material element) filled with adsorbent material (functional material) can be detached from the valuable metal adsorption device 24, the treatment can be restarted by removing the column from the valuable metal adsorption device 24 and replacing it with a new column. Furthermore, the wastewater after adsorbing the valuable metal can be returned to the existing wastewater treatment equipment.

[0073] By using the valuable metal adsorption process described above, and employing an adsorbent material with a partition coefficient of 100 mL / g or more, particularly 10000 mL / g or more, relative to the valuable metal, wastewater W with a concentration of 10 to 10000 mg / L of valuable metal is treated, thereby reducing the volume of wastewater W to 0.01 to 10 volumes.

[0074] (Valuable metal recycling process)

[0075] Next, the valuable metal is recovered from the adsorbent material in the column taken out from the valuable metal adsorption device 24. This recovery is achieved by immersing the adsorbent material in a solvent corresponding to the target valuable metal, eluting the valuable metal from the solvent, and then drying and purifying it. The elution solvent can be appropriately selected from hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, or other solvents that form complexes with the metal ions to be eluted, depending on the target valuable metal. It should be noted that different valuable metals can also be recovered by sequentially immersing the material in different solvents.

[0076] In addition, for adsorbent materials, after removing adsorbents other than valuable metals and discarding broken adsorbent materials, they can be regenerated by drying and reused as adsorbent materials again.

[0077] According to this embodiment as described above, the volume of valuable metal wastewater W is reduced to approximately 0.01 to 10% by volume through the valuable metal adsorption process, thus facilitating the transport of the column as valuable metal recovery material. Therefore, by transporting the column together with the wastewater to an operator engaged in the elution and recovery of valuable metals, processing can be carried out at a location different from the wastewater treatment process.

[0078] [How to use a valuable metal recycling system]

[0079] As described above, according to the valuable metal recycling system 1 of this embodiment, by sufficiently reducing the volume of the valuable metal recycling medium relative to the drainage W in the drainage treatment device 2, the transportation of the valuable metal recycling medium can be facilitated. Therefore, not only can the operating location of the drainage treatment device 2 be different from the operating location of the valuable metal recycling device 3, but the operator of the valuable metal recycling device 3 can also be arbitrarily selected to entrust the valuable metal recycling process.

[0080] Therefore, for user U who discharges wastewater W containing valuable metals, the wastewater treatment device 2 provider A and recycler B can use the valuable metal recycling system 1 in, for example, the following two modes.

[0081] [Table 1] (Pattern 1: Disposal of valuable metals by recycler B)

[0082] [Table 2] (Pattern 2: Case where recycler B returns valuable metals)

[0083] In the above-mentioned method of using the valuable metal recycling system, the processing fee set by the provider can be set on a usage-based billing system based on the quantity and market value of the valuable metal and the amount of wastewater W processed, or it can be set as a fixed fee for a specified period.

[0084] By treating the wastewater W containing valuable metals in the manner described above, user U can enjoy the following advantages: not only is there no initial cost for either the wastewater treatment device 2 or the valuable metal recovery device 3, but these devices also do not need to be permanently installed at the discharge point of user U's wastewater W; only the appropriate treatment cost needs to be borne. Furthermore, by applying the method of using this valuable metal recovery system, valuable metals can be recovered for reuse, and the adsorbent material (functional material element) can also be reused, thus demonstrating excellent performance in terms of the circular economy.

[0085] The present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings and based on the described embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and various modifications can be made. For example, in the described embodiments, the recovery of valuable metals by adsorption has been explained, but treatment can also be performed by using reverse osmosis membranes, electro-deionization devices, etc., to concentrate valuable metal ions and reduce the volume relative to the wastewater W. Furthermore, when the treatment period of the wastewater W containing valuable metals from user U is short, since the wastewater treatment device 2 is transportable, the operating rate of the wastewater treatment device 2 can be improved by transferring the wastewater treatment device 2 to other discharge locations of wastewater W containing valuable metals.

[0086] Example

[0087] The present invention will be further described in detail through the following specific embodiments.

[0088] [Example 1]

[0089] Wastewater W containing approximately 10,000 mg / L of Cs, the target valuable metal for recovery, was prepared as simulated raw water. This wastewater W was then allowed to flow downwards through a column filled with adsorbent material (zeolite), which served as a functional material element. The breakthrough point was defined as when the concentration of the target valuable metal in the treated water after treatment by this column reached 10% of the concentration in the simulated raw water.

[0090] At the breakthrough point, the adsorbent contained approximately 200 mg / g of valuable metal (approximately 20% by weight). Since the valuable metal concentration in the simulated raw water was approximately 10,000 mg / L (approximately 1.0% by weight), it can be confirmed that the valuable metal in the adsorbent was concentrated approximately 20 times compared to the raw water.

[0091] The results confirm that the capacity can be reduced to approximately 1 / 25 when transporting the adsorbent material compared to transporting raw water directly.

[0092] The adsorbent material was removed from the column and immersed in a nitric acid solution (6% by weight) to elute the adsorbed valuable metals. The valuable metals were recovered by drying and solidifying the eluent, with a recovery rate of approximately 60% by weight. Furthermore, after drying, approximately 90% of the eluted adsorbent material was sieved to remove broken pieces and could be reused.

[0093] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0094] 1: Valuable metal recycling system.

[0095] 2: Drainage treatment device.

[0096] 21: Jar.

[0097] 22: Coagulation sedimentation tank (pretreatment unit).

[0098] 23: Membrane filtration device (pretreatment unit).

[0099] 24: Valuable metal adsorption device.

[0100] 25: Waste.

[0101] 3: Valuable metal recycling equipment.

[0102] W: Drainage containing valuable metals.

[0103] T: Trailer (transportation device).

Claims

1. A valuable metal recovery system, which is a system for recovering valuable metals from drainage containing the valuable metals, wherein the valuable metal recovery system has: a drainage treatment device having a functional material element capable of adsorbing or concentrating the valuable metals as a water treatment unit; and a valuable metal recovery device for recovering the valuable metals adsorbed or concentrated from the functional material element.

2. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 1, wherein the functional material element is detachable from the drainage treatment device, the functional material element is taken out of the drainage treatment device, and the valuable metals are recovered using the valuable metal recovery device.

3. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 1, wherein the drainage treatment device is composed of one or two or more water treatment units, and the water treatment units are movable water treatment units.

4. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 1, wherein the drainage treatment device and the valuable metal recovery device are provided at different sites.

5. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 1, wherein the functional material constituting the functional material element is selected in correspondence with the valuable metals contained in the drainage.

6. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 3, wherein the drainage treatment device has, in front of the functional material element, a pretreatment device composed of one or two or more selected from sand filtration, activated carbon, coagulation filtration, coagulation sedimentation, coagulation pressure floatation, and membrane filtration, as a water treatment unit.

7. The valuable metal recovery system according to claim 5, wherein the functional material element is an adsorption material column filled with adsorption material, and the adsorption material column is transported together to the valuable metal recovery device, and the adsorption material is regenerated and reused.

8. The valuable metal recovery system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a drainage discharge source of the drainage containing the valuable metals is different from a drainage treatment device providing source, and the drainage treatment device providing source calculates a drainage treatment cost for each kind of the valuable metals based on a market value and a recovery amount of the valuable metals.

9. A valuable metal recovery method, which is a method for recovering valuable metals from drainage containing the valuable metals, wherein the valuable metal recovery method has: a drainage treatment step of treating the drainage containing the valuable metals using a drainage treatment device having a functional material element capable of adsorbing or concentrating the valuable metals and capable of being detached and attached as a water treatment unit; and a valuable metal recovery step of recovering the valuable metals from the functional material element.

10. The valuable metal recovery method according to claim 9, wherein the functional material element is taken out of the drainage treatment device, and only the functional material element is treated in the valuable metal recovery step to recover the valuable metals. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10. The valuable metal recovery method according to claim 9, wherein the valuable metal that is adsorbed or concentrated in the valuable metal recovery process is recovered and the functional material is regenerated, and the regenerated functional material is reused as a functional material element.

11. The valuable metal recovery method according to claim 9, wherein the drainage treatment device is composed of one or two or more water treatment units that are movable water treatment units, and the drainage treatment device is transported to the site where the valuable metal-containing drainage is generated to perform the valuable metal recovery process.

12. The valuable metal recovery method according to claim 9, wherein the drainage treatment process and the valuable metal recovery process are performed at different sites.

13. The valuable metal recovery method according to claim 9, wherein the functional material of the functional material element is selected in accordance with the valuable metal in the valuable metal-containing drainage.

14. The valuable metal recovery method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the drainage discharge body of the valuable metal-containing drainage is different from the provision body of the drainage treatment device, and the provision body of the drainage treatment device calculates the drainage treatment cost in accordance with the market value and the recovery amount of each kind of valuable metal.

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