Separation processes and economic evaluation of tertiary recycling of electronic scrap

Adherent Technologies' development of a novel conversion process for recycling of electronic scrap has led to investigation of separation technologies for the products produced directly from this process. An economic model of the entire process has also been developed based on the latest findings. This process will handle complex mixtures of plastics, metals, ceramics, and fiberglass or reinforcing components such as those that make up electronic scrap without labor-intensive separation before processing. Products from the process include valuable recycled materials: chemicals, metals, ceramics, and fiberglass, which have ready available markets. Operation and maintenance of the process requires a minimum labor force. Little or no segregation is required for the feedstock before processing, thus reducing labor costs and dramatically increasing the economics of the process over existing recycling techniques. This process provides an economical and environmentally conscious solution to the problem of electronic scrap today and in the future.