Gold Plating Recovery from Scrap Electronics via Selective Dissolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

The recycling of precious metals from scrap electronic equipment is inefficient due to the difficulty in separating gold plating from non-metallic materials, leading to environmental concerns and material waste.

Innovation Solution

A system and method involving a separating solution, such as a mixture of muriatic acid and hydrogen peroxide or vinegar, is used to dissolve and separate gold plating from non-metallic materials, with filtration and rejuvenation processes to recover the precious metals, and optional heating, agitation, or aeration to enhance separation efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional recycling methods are used to process scrap electronic equipment, then the process is simpler and less costly, but the separation of gold plating from non-metallic materials is inefficient and results in significant material waste

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidmaterial waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts gold and other metals from electronic components by selectively dissolving non-metallic materials (epoxy, glass, plastic) using specific chemical solutions. This separation process isolates the metallic components from the non-metallic substrate, enabling efficient recovery of precious metals while minimizing waste through targeted material removal rather than bulk processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting chemical solution composition (including acids, bases, and complexing agents), temperature, and processing time to optimize the separation reaction. By controlling these parameters, the process achieves high selectivity in dissolving non-metallic materials while preserving metallic structures, thereby improving separation efficiency and reducing material loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If strong chemicals are used to separate metals from non-metallic materials, then the separation efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidenvironmental harm

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts potentially harmful strong chemicals into beneficial separation agents by carefully controlling reaction conditions. The chemical solutions (including acids and bases) are used in controlled concentrations and conditions that maximize metal separation efficiency while minimizing environmental harm through proper neutralization and waste treatment protocols

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary substances and controlled reaction environments that mediate between the strong chemicals and the electronic components. This includes using buffered solutions, controlled temperature regimes, and staged processing that allows efficient separation while reducing the direct harmful impact of strong chemicals on the environment and operators

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If the separation process is made more selective and efficient, then precious metal recovery is improved, but the process complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecious metal recoveryVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the separation process into distinct stages: initial chemical treatment, filtration, and metal recovery. Each stage targets specific separation objectives, allowing complex multi-metal separations to be managed through a series of simpler, more controllable steps that improve precious metal recovery without overwhelming process complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by focusing the chemical separation on specific non-metallic components while leaving metallic structures intact. This selective approach achieves high precious metal recovery by targeting only the necessary material for removal, avoiding unnecessary processing steps that would increase complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

Effectively recovers gold plating and other precious metals from scrap electronics, reducing waste and environmental impact by efficiently separating metals from non-metallic materials, with environmentally friendly chemicals and processes.

Implementation Method 1

The recyclable materials are submerged into a separating solution for a period of time, sufficient for the base metals and precious metals to be separated from the non-metallic materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical dissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS8551212B1System and process for recovering base and precious metals

Publication Date: 2013.10.08 CIRCUIT BOARD MINING LLC

AI summary

A system for recovering precious metals. A container is configured to receive recyclable materials. The recyclable materials include non-metallic materials, base metals and precious metals. A separating solution is disposed in the container and is configured to separate the base metals and the precious metals from the non-metallic materials. The non-metallic materials, base metals, and precious metals are subsequently separated from each other.