REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS

This book deals with a subject of worldwide concern, electronic waste. E-waste is becoming one of the most serious environmental and social problems of today. Awareness of the problem, discussing disposal and recycling alternatives are necessary to reduce the impacts caused to the environment. In this research, a new methodology for the removal of metals from Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) was studied. It will contribute to the minimization of environmental impacts by recovering the PCIs metallic elements, which will reduce the exploitation of mineral deposits. The process of PCI recycling presented in this book consists in the application of technologies of chemical and physical nature, involving the leaching stage in acid medium (nitric and hydrochloric) and removal of copper, silver and tin by electrodeposition through copper electrodes.