Analysis of Platinum Content in Used Auto Catalytic Converter Carriers and the Possibility of its Recovery

Abstract

Abstract At present, every launched car must be equipped with a catalytic converter, in which the precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium play catalytic role. Catalytic converters have a limited life time, therefore they have to be replaced and become a valuable source of platinum group metals (PGM). Currently in the world, used auto catalytic converters are processed in pyrometallurgical or hydrometallurgical way. However, the first step of such treatment should be a chemical analysis. In the paper catalytic carriers were analysed taking into account the level of platinum. Scanning electron microscope was used. The analysis concentrated on testing samples coming from different catalytic carriers. The structure of tested samples, chemical analysis and X-ray energy spectra (EDS) where presented as well as the discussion of obtained results and possible methods of platinum recovery.