Copper Recovery from Waste Etching Solution via Chemical Precipitation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating copper-containing waste etching solutions are costly and inefficient, failing to provide a low-cost, high-benefit solution for environmental and economic benefits.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of basic copper chloride nanometer seed crystals and their use in agglomeration reactions with copper chloride and ammonia solutions to separate and purify copper ions, resulting in high-quality basic copper chloride and copper sulfate products, while also addressing impurity issues in alkaline waste etching solutions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If electrolytic method is used to treat copper-containing waste etching solution, then copper can be separated and purified, but the process becomes complicated and investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrolytic method (electrical/chemical system) with a chemical precipitation method using calcium hydroxide. Instead of using electricity to deposit copper, the invention uses chemical reactions to precipitate copper as copper hydroxide, which is then filtered and converted to copper sulfate. This substitution simplifies the equipment needed while maintaining effective copper recovery.
2Manufacturing precision
If extraction method is used to treat copper-containing waste etching solution, then copper can be separated and purified, but expensive extraction agents are required and processes become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses calcium hydroxide (quicklime or slaked lime) as a inexpensive precipitating agent instead of expensive extraction agents. Calcium hydroxide is a low-cost material that effectively precipitates copper from the waste solution, forming copper hydroxide that can be filtered and processed. This approach dramatically reduces the cost of copper recovery while maintaining effectiveness.
3Manufacturing precision
If neutralization precipitation method is used to treat copper-containing waste etching solution, then copper can be separated, but the obtained copper salt has poor quality and production cost is relatively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous process where copper waste solution is treated with calcium hydroxide to precipitate copper hydroxide, which is then reacted with sulfuric acid to produce high-quality copper sulfate. The filtrate containing calcium chloride is reused in subsequent processing steps. This continuous cycle maximizes copper recovery efficiency and produces high-quality copper sulfate product while minimizing waste and reducing overall production costs.
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
This method enables low-cost, high-benefit treatment of copper-containing waste etching solutions, recycling copper, and producing high-value products with improved environmental and economic benefits, including the production of non-toxic copper products and reduced environmental harm.
Implementation Method 1
mixing and curing a copper chloride solution and an ammonia solution in sequence to obtain the inducer containing the basic copper chloride nanometer seed crystals
Implementation Method 2
making the inducer react with the copper chloride solution and the ammonia solution to obtain the slurry containing the basic copper chloride mono-crystals
Implementation Method 3
making the acidic waste etching solution to be subjected to agglomeration reaction with an ammonium-containing solution and the slurry containing the basic copper chloride mono-crystals to obtain basic copper chloride crystal particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for treating a copper-containing waste etching solution, which includes: preparing basic copper chloride nanometer seed crystals and synthesizing basic copper chloride mono-crystals; making an acidic waste etching solution subjected to agglomeration reaction with an ammonium-containing solution and slurry containing the basic copper chloride mono-crystals to obtain basic copper chloride crystal particles and copper-removed waste solution; making an alkaline waste etching solution react with sulfuric acid to obtain a copper sulfate mixed solution; and then evaporating, concentrating, cooling and crystallizing the copper sulfate mixed solution obtained by the reaction of the alkaline waste etching solution and the sulfuric acid in sequence to obtain copper sulfate pentahydrate solids. In a case of low investment, the present invention not only can realize the recycling of copper in the copper-containing waste etching solution, but also can obtain various high-value products, and can achieve both environmental and economic benefits.