Sustainable technology of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling

Research output: ThesisMaster's Thesis

Abstract

This master thesis focuses on mechanical treatment and pyrolysis of Printed Circuits Boards PCB’s for energy production and material recovery. Firstly, in the theoretical section a description of electronic waste, problems with recycling WEEE in Ukraine and the current waste management techniques, as well as example of Western countries. As more and more sustainable solutions are required for waste handling, the advantages and disadvantages of the current treatment methods are analyzed in order to compare them with the innovative technique of waste pyrolysis and mechanical treatment. The substrate used for pyrolysis in terms of this master thesis was the printed circuit boards’ fraction (PCBs) and thus a particular description of this fraction is included. Furthermore, the pyrolysis as a thermal treatment method is fully described for getting an overview of the entire process. The next section of the current master thesis includes a description of the experimental part of grinding mass movements during mechanical treatment. Appling such mechanical treatment for the PCBs is innovative. The experimental part included as well the samples preparation in order to obtain a homogeneous mixture since various substances are used for PCBs manufacturing. Furthermore, the results derived from the experimental were further analyzed. The results section also includes a deep discussion of the results since the pyrolysis of electronic waste is still under research an extensive analysis is necessary. Summarizing, the results illustrates all the data, the main part was to separate metal parts from residual after pyrolysis. The product of pyrolysis of printed circuit boards is gases as well as fuel and metal part with ash content. Finally, the report includes several recommendations for the future work to be done and the basic directions for the research of pyrolysis process and grinding mass movements for materials and energy recovery.

Details

Translated title of the contributionSustainable technology of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) recycling
Original languageEnglish
QualificationDipl.-Ing.
Awarding Institution
Supervisors/Advisors
Award date19 Oct 2018
Publication statusPublished - 2018