ITO Waste Target Separation by Vacuum Suboxide Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for separating indium oxide and tin oxide from indium tin oxide waste targets face challenges such as incomplete separation, introduction of impurities, and lengthy processes, particularly in hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical recovery processes.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum method is employed to separate indium oxide and tin oxide by heating the waste target with indium, allowing indium oxide to generate volatile suboxide that evaporates and condenses separately from tin oxide, using specific molar ratios, pressures, and temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydrometallurgical methods (acid leaching, solvent extraction, ion exchange) are used to recover indium from ITO waste targets, then indium recovery is achieved, but the process is lengthy and may introduce impurities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vacuum distillation based on phase transitions of metal oxides. Indium oxide and tin oxide are heated to different temperatures causing them to vaporize and condense at different stages, achieving separation. This phase transition approach replaces lengthy hydrometallurgical processes with a more direct thermal separation method, reducing process time while maintaining purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters (temperature, pressure) to achieve separation. By controlling heating temperature and applying vacuum conditions, the volatility differences between indium oxide and tin oxide are exploited. This parameter-based approach simplifies the process compared to multi-step chemical treatments, reducing both time and complexity.
2Reliability
If pyrometallurgical methods (reduction, separation, purification) are used to recover indium from ITO waste targets, then indium recovery is achieved, but additional impurities may be introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum distillation process uses phase transitions to separate indium oxide from tin oxide based on their different volatilities. This physical separation method avoids the chemical reactions and intermediate products that generate impurities in pyrometallurgical reduction processes, achieving high purity without introducing additional contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs vacuum conditions (inert environment) during the distillation process. This prevents oxidation and other chemical reactions that could introduce impurities, allowing clean thermal separation. The vacuum environment acts as an inert atmosphere that protects the metal oxides from unwanted chemical interactions during heating and distillation.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used to separate indium oxide and tin oxide, then separation is achieved, but the process is lengthy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the separation process by using vacuum distillation based on phase transitions. Instead of multiple chemical treatment steps, the method relies on the inherent volatility difference between indium oxide and tin oxide under vacuum conditions, achieving complete separation through a single operational sequence with simpler equipment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing to vacuum conditions and controlling temperature parameters, the patent achieves efficient separation with simpler process architecture. The parameter-based approach eliminates the need for complex chemical reagents and multiple treatment stages, reducing both device complexity and process length while maintaining separation completeness.
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
The method achieves pure separation of indium oxide and tin oxide without introducing additional impurities, facilitating resource recovery and utilization of ITO waste targets.
Implementation Method 1
indium oxide can generate volatile suboxide (In2O) when heated in indium melt, and the generated suboxide can evaporate to the condensation zone for condensation
Implementation Method 2
heating the waste target with indium, allowing indium oxide to generate volatile suboxide that evaporates and condenses separately from tin oxide
Implementation Method 3
the generated suboxide can evaporate to the condensation zone for condensation
Implementation Method 4
heat and hold under vacuum conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A method for separating indium oxide and tin oxide from an ITO waste target by a vacuum method disclosed by the present disclosure, which relate to the field of resource recycling and utilization technology. The method Includes: take ITO waste target raw material, add indium to the ITO waste target raw material, heat and hold under vacuum conditions, then the Indium oxide is obtained by the volatilization of the suboxide of indium into the volatile, and the tin oxide is obtained by remaining of the tin oxide in the condensate. The present disclosure is based on the fact that indium oxide can generate volatile suboxide (In2O) when heated in indium melt, and the generated suboxide can evaporate to the condensation zone for condensation, thereby achieving the separation of indium oxide and tin oxide and achieving resource recovery and utilization of ITO waste target materials.