A Conceptual Reactor Design Based on Combination of Pressure Leaching - Electrochemical Deposition Techniques for Study of Gold Recovery from e-Waste

Abstract

In Malaysia, the amount of electronic waste (e-waste) generated in 2008 was stated to be around 688,000 metric tonnes and was forecasted to increase to 1.11 million metric tonnes in the year 2020 [1]. Typical e-waste contains some elements of precious metal, which is mainly generated from the result of the revolution of computer technology. Currently, the most common technique being practiced to recover gold from e-waste is through cyanide leaching system and subsequent gold recovery techniques which may include electrodeposition. However, due to toxicity of the harmful cyanide, a non-cyanide extraction route is now becoming a necessity to minimize safety and environmental issues. In order to maximize the efficiency and safety of gold recovery from e-waste, a non-cyanide route using a reactor based on electrodeposition technique has been proposed. This paper explains the conceptual reactor design which combines the pressure leaching process of gold from e-waste and the gold recovery using electrodeposition via a non-cyanide route as a safer and environmental friendly process in recovering gold from e-waste.