Ceramic Immobilization of Platinum-Group Metals for Low-Corrosion Recovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for recovering platinum-group metals are inefficient, corrosive, and environmentally harmful, with high energy and chemical agent costs, and require complex processes to separate and dissolve platinum-group metals from waste products.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the immobilization of platinum-group metals on a ceramic material by reacting a molten product containing a platinum-group metal, an alkali metal carbonate or hydroxide, and an oxide, followed by elution with an aqueous solvent to separate the platinum-group compound efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional dry process is used to separate and concentrate platinum-group metal from waste product, then platinum-group metal can be extracted, but energy consumption becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatinum-group metal extractionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the extraction process by using a specific molten salt composition (sodium borate-sodium carbonate system) at controlled temperatures (400-600°C). This parameter change enables direct dissolution of platinum-group metals from waste catalysts without requiring high-energy concentration steps, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective extraction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts platinum-group metals directly from waste catalysts using the molten salt system, bypassing the conventional two-step process of separation and concentration. The molten salt directly dissolves the platinum-group metals from the waste material, achieving extraction without the energy-intensive intermediate concentration step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If high concentration acid is used to dissolve platinum-group metal concentrate, then platinum-group metal can be dissolved, but chemical agent cost and waste liquid treatment cost become high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatinum-group metal dissolutionVSAvoidchemical agent cost and waste liquid treatment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a molten salt intermediary (sodium borate-sodium carbonate system) that facilitates the dissolution of platinum-group metals without requiring high-concentration acids. The molten salt acts as a mediator that dissolves the metals at lower temperatures and produces a less harmful solution, thereby reducing chemical agent costs and waste liquid treatment requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the typically harmful high-concentration acid dissolution process into a beneficial low-temperature molten salt dissolution process. The molten salt system achieves effective dissolution while producing a more environmentally friendly waste stream that requires less treatment, turning a harmful process into a beneficial one

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Quantity of substance

If aqua regia is used to dissolve platinum-group metal, then platinum-group metal can be dissolved, but equipment corrosion increases and wastewater treatment becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplatinum-group metal dissolutionVSAvoidequipment corrosion and wastewater treatment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the corrosive aqua regia with a molten salt intermediary (sodium borate-sodium carbonate system) that dissolves platinum-group metals without the severe corrosive effects. This intermediary substance enables effective dissolution while being much less damaging to equipment and producing simpler waste streams that are easier and less expensive to treat

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Reduces corrosion and environmental impact while significantly lowering energy and chemical costs, enabling efficient recovery of platinum-group metals with minimal solvent contamination.

Implementation Method 1

causing a molten product of a raw material containing a platinum-group metal, a molten product of a carbonate or hydroxide of an alkali metal, a molten product of an oxide, and a ceramic material to make contact with each other so as to immobilize the platinum-group metal on the ceramic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

elution with an aqueous solvent to separate the platinum-group compound efficiently

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElution: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS12559819B2Platinum-group metal recovery method, composition containing platinum-group metals, and ceramic material

Publication Date: 2026.02.24 UNIVERSITY OF FUKUI

AI summary

Provided is a platinum-group metal recovery method for efficiently recovering a platinum-group metal. The method for recovering a platinum-group metal includes an immobilization step of causing a molten product of a raw material containing a platinum-group metal, a molten product of a carbonate or hydroxide of an alkali metal, a molten product of an oxide, and a ceramic material to make contact with each other so as to immobilize the platinum-group metal on the ceramic material.