Platinum Group Metal Recovery via Silver-Controlled Molten Copper
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for recovering platinum group metals from substances containing platinum group metals, such as used catalysts for cleaning automobile exhaust gas, face challenges in achieving high recovery ratios and controlling the migration of these metals to slag oxides, particularly due to fluctuations in material composition and high viscosity slag formation during heat treatment.
Innovation Solution
A method involving heat treatment of materials with a copper source material, flux component, and reducing agent, where the silver content in the molten metal is controlled between 2,000 ppm and 8,000 ppm to suppress the migration of platinum group metals to slag oxides, enhancing recovery ratios by optimizing the composition and processing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the material composition fluctuates and high viscosity slag is formed during heat treatment, then the platinum group metals are difficult to be absorbed by the molten metal, but extending the static standing period does not always reduce migration to slag oxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the silver content in the molten metal within a specific range (2,000-8,000 ppm). This parameter control fundamentally alters the absorption characteristics of the molten metal, enabling reliable recovery of platinum group metals even when material composition fluctuates or high viscosity slag forms during heat treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-adjusting the silver content in the molten metal before the heat treatment process begins. This preliminary composition adjustment ensures that the molten metal has optimal absorption capacity from the start, preventing migration to slag oxide throughout the entire processing period rather than relying on extended standing time alone.
2Loss of substance
If the silver content in the molten metal is not controlled, then the platinum group metals migrate to the slag oxide, but controlling silver content requires precise composition management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the control system by identifying and controlling a single critical parameter - the silver content in the molten metal. By focusing on this one parameter within the specified range (2,000-8,000 ppm), the system achieves effective prevention of platinum group metal migration without requiring complex multi-parameter control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring and adjusting the silver content in the molten metal during the recovery process. This feedback mechanism ensures that the silver content remains within the optimal range, automatically correcting any deviations that might lead to increased migration to slag oxide.
3Adaptability or versatility
If wet methods are used for recovering platinum group metals, then the process can handle various materials, but the recovery ratio and cost are problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transitions by utilizing the molten state of metal during the recovery process. The material is heated to melt the metal, creating a liquid phase that enhances absorption of platinum group metals. This phase transition from solid to liquid state improves both the versatility of handling various materials and the reliability of recovery ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state parameter by transitioning from wet (liquid aqueous) methods to dry (molten metal) methods. By controlling the temperature and composition parameters to maintain molten metal state, the process achieves both high adaptability to various materials and high recovery ratio, eliminating the cost and efficiency problems of traditional wet methods.
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 approach effectively reduces the migration of platinum group metals to slag oxides, thereby improving the recovery ratio and stability of the platinum group metals, as demonstrated by the controlled silver content in the molten metal during the heat treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
concentrating the platinum group metals by allowing the platinum group metals to be absorbed by molten copper
Implementation Method 2
the component in the molten metal obtained by melting the material to be treated containing platinum group metals under heating and the amount of the platinum group metals migrating to the slag oxide
Implementation Method 3
separating the carrier and the like of the waste catalyst as a slag oxide, and concentrating the platinum group metals by allowing the platinum group metals to be absorbed by molten copper
Implementation Method 4
subjecting the molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals to an oxidation treatment; separating an oxide layer containing copper oxide as a major component, and a molten metal containing metallic copper as a major component
Data Source
AI summary
A method for recovering platinum group metals, includes melting a material to be treated containing platinum group metals, under heating in a furnace, along with a copper source material containing at least one kind of metallic copper and copper oxide, a flux component, and a reducing agent. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is separated from a slag oxide through difference in specific gravity. The molten metal absorbing the platinum group metals is subjected to an oxidation treatment. An oxide layer containing as a major component copper oxide and a molten metal containing as a major component metallic copper containing the platinum group metals concentrated therein are separated through difference in specific gravity. A silver content in the molten metal separated in melting under heating is controlled to 2,000 ppm or more and 8,000 ppm or less, thereby recovering platinum group metals with high efficiency.