EP3194076A1 - Method for processing and removing electronic waste with a view to recovering the components included in such waste - Google Patents

Method for processing and removing electronic waste with a view to recovering the components included in such waste

Info

Publication number
EP3194076A1
EP3194076A1 EP15787012.2A EP15787012A EP3194076A1 EP 3194076 A1 EP3194076 A1 EP 3194076A1 EP 15787012 A EP15787012 A EP 15787012A EP 3194076 A1 EP3194076 A1 EP 3194076A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
waste
metals
separation
suspension
particles
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP15787012.2A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Stéphane PEYS
Ashley O'SULLIVAN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Financiere Industrielle Ste
Original Assignee
Bigarren Bizi
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bigarren Bizi filed Critical Bigarren Bizi
Publication of EP3194076A1 publication Critical patent/EP3194076A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • C22B7/005—Separation by a physical processing technique only, e.g. by mechanical breaking
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B9/00—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets
    • B03B9/06—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse
    • B03B9/061—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse the refuse being industrial
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B5/00—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating
    • B03B5/28—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating by sink-float separation
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B5/00—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating
    • B03B5/48—Washing granular, powdered or lumpy materials; Wet separating by mechanical classifiers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03B—SEPARATING SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS
    • B03B9/00—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets
    • B03B9/06—General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for refuse
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B03—SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS USING LIQUIDS OR USING PNEUMATIC TABLES OR JIGS; MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C—MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS
    • B03C1/00—Magnetic separation
    • B03C1/02—Magnetic separation acting directly on the substance being separated
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
    • C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
    • C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
    • C22B1/2406—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating pelletizing
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B7/00—Working up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals and compounds thereof; Methods of a general interest or applied to the winning of more than two metals
    • C22B7/006—Wet processes
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
    • Y02P10/20—Recycling
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02W—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT OR WASTE MANAGEMENT
    • Y02W30/00—Technologies for solid waste management
    • Y02W30/50—Reuse, recycling or recovery technologies
    • Y02W30/52—Mechanical processing of waste for the recovery of materials, e.g. crushing, shredding, separation or disassembly

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the treatment of articles comprising plastic materials and various metals, including so-called electronic waste, for the recovery of materials comprising the latter, and in particular the metals used in the manufacture of such waste.
  • This waste may include electronic cards, memory cards, smart cards, and other article circuits with discrete or integrated electronic components.
  • This electronic waste essentially comprises two families of materials, namely on the one hand polymeric materials, and on the other hand metals, some precious and some less, and in particular (but not exhaustively) silver, copper, iron, lead, tin, gold, silver, aluminum, tantalum, palladium, and rare earths (lanthanides).
  • the quantity of each of the metals to be recovered is relatively small compared with the total weight or the total volume of this waste;
  • Such a method is used particularly for recovering copper, nickel or zinc.
  • the hydrometallurgical process is used in particular for aluminum, zinc and copper, but also for nickel, chromium and manganese.
  • the present invention aims to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art and to propose a process which makes it possible to recover individually different metals included in the so-called electronic waste composition, with a satisfactory degree of purity, while not requiring neither heat input nor reagents, and not causing undesirable releases. It is based on the discovery that by fragmenting this waste with certain particle size characteristics, allowing the individual components of the waste to be individualized, and by conveying these fragments in a liquid medium throughout the separation process, it was possible to apply highly effective mechanical separation treatments, without the use of reagents, without undesirable releases and with limited energy consumption.
  • a method for treating electronic waste with a view to the individualized recovery of metals included in such waste is thus proposed, characterized in that it comprises the following succession of steps:
  • the average size of the metal particles after the milling step is between about 10 and 100 pm, more preferably between 20 and 50 pm.
  • the metal particles after grinding have a D80 value distribution between about 25 and 60 microns.
  • the gravitational separation step is carried out by hydrocycloning.
  • the proportion of solid in the slurry is between about 5 and 30% by weight, preferably between about 8% and 15% by weight.
  • the liquid is water, the suspension also containing a wetting agent.
  • the wetting agent is nonionic.
  • the density separation step is implemented by one or more machines of separation selected from a group comprising gravity centrifugal separators, densimetric tables, the separators of the flotation type, the spiral concentrators and multigravitaires separators drum.
  • the method comprises a separation assembly machines connected in cascade and adjusted in different density ranges.
  • the method comprises, before the densimetric separation step, a magnetic separation step.
  • the method further comprises a final conditioning step comprising removal of the liquid and a tableting separate metals.
  • FIGURE is a schematic diagram. block of the different steps of the method of the invention.
  • the method comprises the following steps.
  • This step comprises grinding the electronic waste (whole cards, smart card, etc.) until a powder of particles of average size preferably between 10 and 100 ⁇ m, and more preferably between about 20 of 50 pm; this grinding can be carried out in one or more steps depending on the nature of the waste and their expected composition with possible return to grinding too coarse particles from a downstream granulometric sorting.
  • the particle size referred to herein is that of metals, the grinding being able to give rise to coarser non-metallic (in particular plastic, more malleable) particle sizes without compromising the efficiency of the process.
  • the grinding is carried out under conditions such that the average size of the metal particles after the grinding step is as defined above and that the size distribution of the metal particles has a distribution value D80 of between about 25 and 60 pm. It will be recalled here that a distribution value D80 is the particle size for which 80% of the particles have a size less than this value.
  • the type of grinding is chosen so as to give an average size of metal particles smaller than the average size of the non-metallic particles. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to make the separation of metals / nonmetals less tedious and, on the other hand, to improve the performance of the separation of the metals between them.
  • Attrition milling makes it possible to achieve this result.
  • Step 2 suspension in aqueous suspension
  • the particles micronized in step 1 are introduced into an aqueous medium, preferably water, in a proportion of about 8 to 15% by weight of solids; this suspension can be carried out by stirring in a tank; if necessary, a wetting agent such as a surfactant, preferably nonionic and non-foaming, is incorporated in the aqueous medium to facilitate suspension.
  • a wetting agent such as a surfactant, preferably nonionic and non-foaming
  • This liquid medium remains the vehicle of the micronized particles during all subsequent steps, and will be eliminated at the end of separation as will be seen later.
  • Step 3 Metal / non-metal separation
  • This step is preferably carried out with a hydrocyclonic separation device which makes it possible to separate, on the one hand, the particles of the highest densities (typically all the metals), and on the other hand the particles of densities the lower, typically polymers and other non-metallic particles; in a manner known per se, the densest particles are projected against the conical wall of the hydrocyclone and are discharged from the hydrocyclone by its lower opening ("underflow” in English terminology), while the lighter particles back by the ascending secondary vortex and form a flow called "overflow" opening into an upper opening.
  • a hydrocyclonic separation device which makes it possible to separate, on the one hand, the particles of the highest densities (typically all the metals), and on the other hand the particles of densities the lower, typically polymers and other non-metallic particles; in a manner known per se, the densest particles are projected against the conical wall of the hydrocyclone and are discharged from the hydrocyclone by its lower opening ("underflow” in English terminology), while the lighter particles
  • hydrocyclone manufactured by Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, United Kingdom, FLSmidth & Krebbs, is used. Valby, Denmark, Neyrtec Minerai, Lorient, France, and Multotec, Africa.
  • the densest particles from hydrocycloning consisting essentially of metal particles suspended in the liquid flow, are subjected to magnetic separation to isolate magnetic metals, typically ferrous metals, from other metals.
  • this step is optional.
  • the ferrite-type materials can also possibly be recovered by the downstream densimetric separation step as will now be described.
  • Particles consisting essentially of metals of different densities are then subjected to a step densimetric separation system for isolating metals of different densities from one another;
  • the separation means may be chosen from centrifugal gravimetric separators, densimetric tables, and flotation type separators or spiral concentrators; depending on the nature of the waste, the number of metals to be separated and the type of separator, the separation means can be arranged in different ways; advantageously, gravity concentrators such as those from the Falcon range marketed by the company Sepro, Langley, Canada, or those (Knelson concentrators) marketed by FLSMidth & Krebbs, Valby, Denmark, or even preferentially multi-gravity drum separators by Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
  • the flow of the liquid medium transporting the particles to be separated in cascade is passed through a succession of separation devices, each device delivering a metal having a certain density; depending on the type of separator, it is possible to proceed with increasing densities or decreasing densities (decreasing densities with the Salter multigrain separators).
  • iteration is carried out at each separation to increase the concentration and thus achieve the degree of purity desired for each metal.
  • a hydrocycloning separation of the same type as that used to separate the plastics may be implemented to separate the less dense metals, and in particular aluminum.
  • the different metals separated in the previous step still in the form of particles in a liquid vehicle, are freed from the liquid, typically by filtration and drying, and then subjected to treatments conditioning, such as compacting pellets, for each of the recovered metals.
  • an upstream characterization of the waste to be treated can be carried out, by any known analysis method, in order possibly to adjust the process steps, and in particular the parameters of the hydrocycloning and the densimetric separation.
  • a final characterization of the recovered metals can also be performed to estimate their degree of purity and to identify possible secondary metals still present, and to detect possible separation defects in the process.

Abstract

According to the invention, a method for treating electronic waste with a view to individually recovering metals included in such waste is provided. Said method is characterized in that it includes the series of the following steps: grinding the waste under conditions suitable for individually separating the different metal components of the waste; mixing the ground waste with a liquid such as to form a suspension; gravitationally separating the suspension such as to separate the particles having the highest densities and containing the majority of the metals from the particles having the lowest densities; and densimetrically separating the suspension containing the majority of the metals such as to obtain suspensions containing the individually separated metals.

Description

Procédé de traitement et d'extraction de déchets électroniques en vue de la récupération des constituants inclus dans de tels déchets  Process for the treatment and extraction of electronic waste for the recovery of constituents included in such waste
Domaine de l'invention Field of the invention
La présente invention concerne le traitement d'articles comprenant des matériaux plastiques et des métaux divers, et notamment des déchets dits électroniques, en vue de la récupération de matériaux composant ces derniers, et notamment les métaux utilisés dans la fabrication de tels déchets.  The present invention relates to the treatment of articles comprising plastic materials and various metals, including so-called electronic waste, for the recovery of materials comprising the latter, and in particular the metals used in the manufacture of such waste.
Ces déchets peuvent comprendre des cartes électroniques, des cartes à mémoire, des cartes à puce, et tout autre circuit article doté de composants électroniques discrets ou intégrés.  This waste may include electronic cards, memory cards, smart cards, and other article circuits with discrete or integrated electronic components.
Etat de la technique State of the art
Ces déchets électroniques comportent essentiellement deux familles de matériaux, à savoir d'une part des matériaux polymères, et d'autre part des métaux, certains précieux et d'autres moins, et en particulier (mais non exhaustivement) de l'argent, du cuivre, du fer, du plomb, de l'étain, de l'or, de l'argent, de l'aluminium, du tantale, du palladium, et des terres rares (lanthanides).  This electronic waste essentially comprises two families of materials, namely on the one hand polymeric materials, and on the other hand metals, some precious and some less, and in particular (but not exhaustively) silver, copper, iron, lead, tin, gold, silver, aluminum, tantalum, palladium, and rare earths (lanthanides).
La récupération de ces métaux est aujourd'hui un défi extrêmement important au regard des motivations écologiques visant à récupérer et recycler des déchets inutilisables ou détériorés, et de la rareté croissante de certains métaux.  The recovery of these metals is today an extremely important challenge in view of the ecological motivations to recover and recycle unusable or deteriorated waste, and the growing scarcity of certain metals.
II y a donc un intérêt non seulement économique, mais écologique à traiter ces déchets pour en récupérer les matériaux susceptibles d'être réutilisés, et notamment les métaux.  There is therefore an economic interest, but ecological interest in treating this waste to recover the materials likely to be reused, including metals.
Cependant, ce traitement se heurte à des difficultés importantes :  However, this treatment encounters significant difficulties:
- la quantité de chacun des métaux à récupérer est relativement faible au regard du poids total ou du volume total de ces déchets ;  the quantity of each of the metals to be recovered is relatively small compared with the total weight or the total volume of this waste;
- ces mêmes déchets incluent des métaux différents qu'il est a priori difficile de séparer compte-tenu de leurs propriétés voisines notamment en termes de densités pour certains métaux ; - la présence de matières polymères dans les déchets complique encore les traitements. - These same waste include different metals that it is a priori difficult to separate in view of their neighboring properties especially in terms of densities for certain metals; the presence of polymeric materials in the waste further complicates the treatments.
Ainsi, les techniques connues de récupération de métaux dans des déchets ne comprenant qu'un seul type de métal, notamment par affinage ou fusion, ne sont pas directement utilisables pour de telles applications.  Thus, known techniques for recovering metals in waste comprising only one type of metal, in particular by refining or melting, are not directly usable for such applications.
On a donc déjà mis au point des procédés visant à récupérer différents métaux contenus dans des déchets électroniques.  So we have already developed processes to recover different metals contained in electronic waste.
Dans un premier procédé connu, basé sur la pyrométallurgie, les déchets subissent séquentiellement :  In a first known method, based on pyrometallurgy, the waste undergoes sequentially:
- un traitement thermique pour homogénéiser la source de métal (grillage) et séparer les plastiques et les oxydes réfractaires ;  a heat treatment to homogenize the metal source (roasting) and to separate the plastics and the refractory oxides;
- une oxydation permettant la séparation ; et  an oxidation allowing the separation; and
- un affinage.  - a ripening.
Un tel procédé est utilisé particulièrement pour récupérer le cuivre, le nickel ou le zinc.  Such a method is used particularly for recovering copper, nickel or zinc.
Ce procédé connu présente toutefois des inconvénients, et en particulier :  This known process, however, has disadvantages, and in particular:
- le fait de brûler les matériaux plastiques et autres matériaux inflammables a des conséquences néfastes sur le plan écologique, notamment par l'émission de furanes et de dioxines ;  - the burning of plastic materials and other flammable materials has adverse ecological consequences, including the emission of furans and dioxins;
- il fait appel à un traitement chimique dont les conséquences écologiques sont importantes ;  - it involves a chemical treatment whose ecological consequences are important;
- il est gros consommateur d'énergie et nécessite des temps de traitement importants ;  - it is a big consumer of energy and requires important processing times;
- il est limité à la récupération de certains métaux, en excluant notamment, l'aluminium, le fer et le tantale.  - it is limited to the recovery of certain metals, excluding, in particular, aluminum, iron and tantalum.
On a déjà proposé également un procédé dit hydro-métallurgique basé sur l'utilisation d'un solvant, et notamment d'un acide ou d'un halogénure, suivi de procédés de séparation et purification tels que par précipitation des impuretés, extraction du solvant, adsorption et échange d'ions afin d'isoler et de concentrer les métaux. Par exemple, l'oxydation des déchets électroniques par l'acide sulfurique permet la lixiviation du cuivre et de l'argent, tandis que la cyanuration permet de récupérer de l'or, de l'argent, du palladium et une faible quantité de cuivre. It has also been proposed a so-called hydro-metallurgical process based on the use of a solvent, and in particular an acid or a halide, followed by separation and purification processes such as by precipitation of impurities, extraction of the solvent , adsorption and ion exchange to isolate and concentrate metals. For example, the oxidation of electronic waste by sulfuric acid allows the leaching of copper and silver, while cyanidation makes it possible to recover gold, silver, palladium and a small quantity of copper. .
On recourt au procédé hydrométallurgique en particulier pour l'aluminium, le zinc et le cuivre, mais aussi pour le nickel, le chrome et le manganèse.  The hydrometallurgical process is used in particular for aluminum, zinc and copper, but also for nickel, chromium and manganese.
Ce procédé connu utilise toutefois des quantités importantes d'acide, ce qui est un fort handicap sur le plan écologique et de la sécurité.  This known method, however, uses significant amounts of acid, which is a strong handicap in terms of ecology and safety.
On a encore proposé de façon connue des procédés biotechnologiques faisant appel à des bactéries ou des champignons.  It has also been proposed in a known manner biotechnological processes using bacteria or fungi.
Cependant, ces procédés sont encore en phase expérimentale et n'ont pas encore prouvé leur efficacité, et notamment au regard des critères économiques et écologiques.  However, these processes are still in the experimental phase and have not yet proved their effectiveness, particularly with regard to economic and ecological criteria.
On connaît enfin par le document « A Novel Flowsheet for the Finally, the document "A Novel Flowsheet for the
Recovery of Métal Values from Waste Printed Circuit Boards » une technique permettant, par une combinaison de traitements en phase humide (classification par hydrocyclonage, flottation et séparation multi-gravitaire) et en phase sèche (séparations électrodynamique et électrostatique) de séparer les constituants de circuits imprimés broyés en d'une part une fraction légère (matières plastiques essentiellement) et d'autre part une fraction lourde (métaux essentiellement). Recovery of Metal Values from the Waste Printed Circuit Boards "a technique that allows, by a combination of wet-phase treatments (classification by hydrocycloning, flotation and multi-gravity separation) and dry phase (electrodynamic and electrostatic separations) to separate the constituents of circuits crushed prints on the one hand a light fraction (mainly plastics) and on the other hand a heavy fraction (mainly metals).
Toutefois, ce procédé connu aboutit à une performance de séparation médiocre, et s'avère incapable de réaliser une séparation des métaux les uns des autres.  However, this known process results in poor separation performance, and is unable to achieve a separation of metals from each other.
Par ailleurs, l'enseignement de ce document laisse à penser (voir tableau 1 en page 465) qu'une séparation efficace se produit seulement pour des tailles de particules comprises entre 44 et 100 pm et que des particules plus petites sont à éliminer. En outre, ce document semble indiquer que le broyage de cartes électroniques donne lieu à des quantités importantes de fines non-métalliques et de particules métalliques de forme allongée, ce qui a priori compliquerait un processus de séparation entièrement mécanisé. Moreover, the teaching of this document suggests (see Table 1 on page 465) that effective separation occurs only for particle sizes between 44 and 100 μm and that smaller particles are to be removed. In addition, this document seems to indicate that the grinding of electronic cards gives rise to large quantities of non-metallic fines and elongated metal particles, which would a priori complicate a fully mechanized separation process.
Ainsi, faute de solutions industrielles satisfaisantes, il existe encore de nombreuses régions du monde où les déchets électroniques sont simplement brûlés, pour tenter de récupérer une petite partie des métaux. Ces procédés sont toutefois un désastre sur le plan écologique et de la santé, et ne permettent au final qu'une récupération infime de matériaux.  Thus, for lack of satisfactory industrial solutions, there are still many parts of the world where electronic waste is simply burned, in an attempt to recover a small part of the metals. These processes, however, are an ecological disaster and health, and ultimately allow only a tiny recovery of materials.
Résumé de l'invention Summary of the invention
La présente invention vise à pallier tout ou partie des inconvénients de l'état de l'art et à proposer un procédé qui permette de récupérer individuellement différents métaux inclus dans la composition de déchets dits électroniques, avec un degré de pureté satisfaisant, tout en ne nécessitant ni apport de chaleur, ni réactifs, et en ne provoquant pas de rejets indésirables. Elle est basée sur la découverte du fait qu'en effectuant une fragmentation de ces déchets avec certaines caractéristiques de granulométrie, permettant d'individualiser les constituants des déchets, et en véhiculant ces fragments dans un milieu liquide d'un bout à l'autre du processus de séparation, il était possible de leur appliquer des traitements mécaniques de séparation extrêmement efficaces, sans recours à des réactifs, sans rejets indésirables et avec une consommation énergétique limitée.  The present invention aims to overcome all or part of the drawbacks of the state of the art and to propose a process which makes it possible to recover individually different metals included in the so-called electronic waste composition, with a satisfactory degree of purity, while not requiring neither heat input nor reagents, and not causing undesirable releases. It is based on the discovery that by fragmenting this waste with certain particle size characteristics, allowing the individual components of the waste to be individualized, and by conveying these fragments in a liquid medium throughout the separation process, it was possible to apply highly effective mechanical separation treatments, without the use of reagents, without undesirable releases and with limited energy consumption.
On propose ainsi un procédé de traitement de déchets électroniques en vue de la récupération individualisée de métaux inclus dans de tels déchets, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend la succession des étapes suivantes :  A method for treating electronic waste with a view to the individualized recovery of metals included in such waste is thus proposed, characterized in that it comprises the following succession of steps:
- broyage des déchets dans des conditions propres à individualiser les différents constituants métalliques des déchets,  - grinding of the waste in conditions suitable for individualizing the different metallic constituents of the waste,
- mélange des déchets broyés avec un liquide pour former une suspension, - séparation gravitaire de la suspension pour séparer les particules de densités les plus élevées, contenant la majorité des métaux, des particules de densités les plus faibles, - mixing the crushed waste with a liquid to form a suspension, gravitational separation of the suspension to separate the particles of the highest densities, containing the majority of the metals, from the particles of the lowest densities,
- séparation densimétrique de la suspension contenant la majorité des métaux pour obtenir des suspensions contenant les métaux individualisés.  - Densimetric separation of the suspension containing the majority of the metals to obtain suspensions containing the individualized metals.
Certaines caractéristiques avantageuses mais facultatives de ce procédé, prises individuellement ou en toutes combinaison que l'homme du métier identifiera comme techniquement compatibles, sont les suivantes :  Some advantageous but optional features of this method, taken individually or in any combination that the skilled person will identify as technically compatible, are as follows:
* la taille moyenne des particules métalliques après l'étape de broyage est comprise entre environ 10 et 100 pm, et plus préférentiellement comprise entre 20 et 50 pm. * The average size of the metal particles after the milling step is between about 10 and 100 pm, more preferably between 20 and 50 pm.
* les particules métalliques après broyage présentent une valeur de distribution D80 comprise entre environ 25 et 60 pm. * The metal particles after grinding have a D80 value distribution between about 25 and 60 microns.
* au moins une phase finale du broyage est réalisée par attrition. * At least a final stage of grinding is carried out by attrition.
* l'étape de séparation gravitaire est mise en œuvre par hydrocyclonage.  the gravitational separation step is carried out by hydrocycloning.
* la proportion de solide dans la suspension est comprise entre environ 5 et 30% en poids, de préférence entre environ 8 % et 15 % en poids. * The proportion of solid in the slurry is between about 5 and 30% by weight, preferably between about 8% and 15% by weight.
* le liquide est de l'eau, la suspension contenant en outre un agent mouillant.  the liquid is water, the suspension also containing a wetting agent.
* l'agent mouillant est non-ionique. * The wetting agent is nonionic.
* l'étape de séparation densimétrique est mise en œuvre par une ou plusieurs machines de séparation choisies dans un groupe comprenant les séparateurs gravimétriques centrifuges, les tables densimétriques, les séparateurs du type à flottation, les concentrateurs spiraux et des séparateurs multigravitaires à tambour. * The density separation step is implemented by one or more machines of separation selected from a group comprising gravity centrifugal separators, densimetric tables, the separators of the flotation type, the spiral concentrators and multigravitaires separators drum.
* le procédé comprend un ensemble de machines de séparation reliées en cascade et ajustées sur des gammes de densités différentes. The method comprises a separation assembly machines connected in cascade and adjusted in different density ranges.
* le procédé comprend, avant l'étape de séparation densimétrique, une étape de séparation magnétique. * le procédé comprend en outre une étape de conditionnement final comprenant une élimination du liquide et une mise en pastilles des métaux séparés. the method comprises, before the densimetric separation step, a magnetic separation step. * The method further comprises a final conditioning step comprising removal of the liquid and a tableting separate metals.
Brève description des dessins Brief description of the drawings
L'invention sera mieux comprise à la lumière de la description qui va suivre de formes de réalisation préférées de celle-ci, donnée à titre d'exemple non limitatif et faite en référence aux dessins annexés, sur lesquels la figure unique est un schéma-bloc des différentes étapes du procédé de l'invention.  The invention will be better understood in the light of the following description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the single FIGURE is a schematic diagram. block of the different steps of the method of the invention.
Description détaillée de formes de réalisation préférées Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
En référence au dessin, on va décrire ci-dessous les différentes étapes du procédé de l'invention et des moyens pour la mise en œuvre de ces étapes.  With reference to the drawing, we will describe below the various steps of the method of the invention and means for implementing these steps.
Le procédé comprend les étapes suivantes.  The method comprises the following steps.
Etape 1 : micronisation Step 1: micronization
Cette étape comprend un broyage des déchets électroniques (cartes entières, carte à puce, etc.) jusqu'à l'obtention d'une poudre de particules d'une taille moyenne comprise de préférence entre 10 et 100 pm, et plus préférentiellement comprise entre environ 20 de 50 pm ; ce broyage peut être effectué en une ou plusieurs étapes selon la nature des déchets et leur composition attendue avec éventuellement retour vers le broyage des particules trop grossières issues d'un tri granulométrique aval.  This step comprises grinding the electronic waste (whole cards, smart card, etc.) until a powder of particles of average size preferably between 10 and 100 μm, and more preferably between about 20 of 50 pm; this grinding can be carried out in one or more steps depending on the nature of the waste and their expected composition with possible return to grinding too coarse particles from a downstream granulometric sorting.
La taille de particules visée ici est celle des métaux, le broyage pouvant donner lieu à des tailles de particules non métalliques (notamment plastiques, plus malléables) plus grossières sans compromettre l'efficacité du procédé. Avantageusement, le broyage est effectué dans des conditions telles que la taille moyenne des particules métalliques après l'étape de broyage soit comme défini plus haut et que la distribution de la taille des particules métalliques présente une valeur de distribution D80 comprise entre environ 25 et 60 pm. On rappellera ici que l'une valeur de distribution D80 est la taille de particules pour laquelle 80 % des particules ont une taille inférieure à cette valeur. The particle size referred to herein is that of metals, the grinding being able to give rise to coarser non-metallic (in particular plastic, more malleable) particle sizes without compromising the efficiency of the process. Advantageously, the grinding is carried out under conditions such that the average size of the metal particles after the grinding step is as defined above and that the size distribution of the metal particles has a distribution value D80 of between about 25 and 60 pm. It will be recalled here that a distribution value D80 is the particle size for which 80% of the particles have a size less than this value.
Il est à observer ici qu'un broyage avec une telle taille de particules permet de s'assurer que les différents constituants des produits électroniques traités sont suffisamment bien individualisés pour pouvoir garantir la bonne qualité des étapes de séparation ultérieures, telles qu'on va les décrire.  It should be observed here that grinding with such a particle size makes it possible to ensure that the various constituents of the treated electronic products are sufficiently individualized to be able to guarantee the good quality of the subsequent separation steps, as they are going to be done. to describe.
Différents fournisseurs commercialisent des machines basées sur différentes technologies de broyage (à billes, à attrition, à couteaux, pendulaires, etc.) et qui sont capables de réaliser ce broyage, et notamment la société Poittemill, Béthune, France, la société Manfredini & Schianti, Sasuollo, Italie, la société Atritor, Coventry, Royaume-Uni, la société Pulveris, Aniche, France, ou encore la société Hosokawa Alpine, Augsburg, Allemagne.  Different suppliers market machines based on different grinding technologies (ball, attrition, knives, pendulum, etc.) and which are capable of carrying out this grinding, and in particular the company Poittemill, Béthune, France, the company Manfredini & Schianti , Sasuollo, Italy, Atritor Company, Coventry, United Kingdom, Pulveris, Aniche, France, or Hosokawa Alpine, Augsburg, Germany.
Par ailleurs, il est avantageux que le type de broyage soit choisi de manière à donner une taille moyenne de particules métalliques plus petite que la taille moyenne des particules non métalliques. Ceci permet d'une part de rendre la séparation métaux/non-métaux moins fastidieuse et d'autre part d'améliorer la performance de la séparation des métaux entre eux.  Furthermore, it is advantageous that the type of grinding is chosen so as to give an average size of metal particles smaller than the average size of the non-metallic particles. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to make the separation of metals / nonmetals less tedious and, on the other hand, to improve the performance of the separation of the metals between them.
Un broyage par attrition permet en particulier d'aboutir à ce résultat. In particular, attrition milling makes it possible to achieve this result.
Etape 2 : mise en suspension aqueuse Step 2: suspension in aqueous suspension
Les particules micronisées à l'étape 1 sont introduites dans un milieu aqueux, de préférence de l'eau, dans une proportion d'environ 8 à 15 % en poids de matières solides ; cette mise en suspension peut être réalisée par agitation dans une cuve ; si nécessaire, un agent mouillant tel qu'un tensioactif, de préférence non-ionique et non moussant, est incorporé au milieu aqueux pour faciliter la mise en suspension. The particles micronized in step 1 are introduced into an aqueous medium, preferably water, in a proportion of about 8 to 15% by weight of solids; this suspension can be carried out by stirring in a tank; if necessary, a wetting agent such as a surfactant, preferably nonionic and non-foaming, is incorporated in the aqueous medium to facilitate suspension.
Ce milieu liquide demeure le véhicule des particules micronisées pendant toutes les étapes ultérieures, et sera éliminé en fin de séparation comme on le verra plus loin.  This liquid medium remains the vehicle of the micronized particles during all subsequent steps, and will be eliminated at the end of separation as will be seen later.
Etape 3 : Séparation métaux/non-métaux Step 3: Metal / non-metal separation
Cette étape est mise en œuvre de préférence, avec un dispositif de séparation de type hydrocyclonique, permettant de séparer d'une part les particules de densités les plus élevées (typiquement la totalité des métaux), et d'autre part les particules de densités les plus basses, typiquement les polymères et autres particules non métalliques ; de façon connue en soi, les particules les plus denses sont projetées contre la paroi conique de l'hydrocyclone et sont évacuées de l'hydrocyclone par son ouverture inférieure (« underflow » en terminologie anglo-saxonne), tandis que les particules plus légères remontent par le tourbillon secondaire ascendant et forment un écoulement dit « overflow » débouchant dans une ouverture supérieure.  This step is preferably carried out with a hydrocyclonic separation device which makes it possible to separate, on the one hand, the particles of the highest densities (typically all the metals), and on the other hand the particles of densities the lower, typically polymers and other non-metallic particles; in a manner known per se, the densest particles are projected against the conical wall of the hydrocyclone and are discharged from the hydrocyclone by its lower opening ("underflow" in English terminology), while the lighter particles back by the ascending secondary vortex and form a flow called "overflow" opening into an upper opening.
Par un choix optimal du diamètre du cyclone, de sa longueur et de l'angle de cône du cyclone, du diamètre de sortie de l'écoulement supérieur (« overflow » en terminologie anglo-saxonne) dans la tête du cyclone (« vortex finder » en terminologie anglo-saxonne), du diamètre de la buse de sortie (« spigot » en terminologie anglo-saxonne) de l'écoulement inférieur (« underflow » en terminologie anglo-saxonne), on arrive à diriger les particules les plus lourdes (métaux) vers l'ouverture inférieure, alors que les matières plus légères (polymères) en suspension dans la solution remontent dans le tourbillon ascendant et sortent par l'ouverture supérieure, avec une possibilité d'ajustement fin du seuil de densité.  By an optimal choice of the cyclone diameter, its length and the cone angle of the cyclone, the exit diameter of the upper flow ("overflow" in English terminology) in the head of the cyclone ("vortex finder In Anglo-Saxon terminology), the diameter of the outlet nozzle ("spigot" in English terminology) of the lower flow ("underflow" in English terminology), we manage to direct the heaviest particles (metals) to the lower opening, while the lighter materials (polymers) suspended in the solution back into the rising vortex and out through the upper opening, with a possibility of fine adjustment of the density threshold.
On utilise par exemple un hydrocyclone fabriqué par la société Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, Royaume-Uni, la société FLSmidth & Krebbs, Valby, Danemark, la société Neyrtec Minerai, Lorient, France, ou encore la société Multotec, Johannesburg, Afrique du Sud. For example, a hydrocyclone manufactured by Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, United Kingdom, FLSmidth & Krebbs, is used. Valby, Denmark, Neyrtec Minerai, Lorient, France, and Multotec, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Etape 4 : séparation magnétique (facultative) Step 4: Magnetic separation (optional)
Les particules les plus denses issues de l'hydrocyclonage, constituées essentiellement des particules métalliques en suspension dans le flux liquide, sont soumises à une séparation magnétique pour isoler les métaux magnétiques, typiquement les métaux ferreux, des autres métaux  The densest particles from hydrocycloning, consisting essentially of metal particles suspended in the liquid flow, are subjected to magnetic separation to isolate magnetic metals, typically ferrous metals, from other metals.
On peut par exemple mettre en œuvre le procédé proposé commercialement par la société Liquisort Recycling B.V., El Son, Pays-Bas.  For example, it is possible to use the process commercially proposed by Liquisort Recycling B.V., El Son, The Netherlands.
On notera ici que selon le type de déchets électroniques, cette étape est optionnelle. Notamment, les matériaux type ferrites peuvent également le cas échéant être récupérés par l'étape aval de séparation densimétrique telle qu'on va maintenant la décrire.  It should be noted here that depending on the type of electronic waste, this step is optional. In particular, the ferrite-type materials can also possibly be recovered by the downstream densimetric separation step as will now be described.
Etape 5 : séparation densimétrique Step 5: Density separation
Les particules constituées essentiellement de métaux de différentes densités (soit les non-ferreux issus de la séparation magnétique, soit l'ensemble des métaux issus de l'étape précédente lorsqu'aucune séparation magnétique n'est prévue), sont alors soumises à une étape de séparation densimétrique visant à isoler les uns des autres les métaux de différentes masses volumiques ; les moyens de séparation peuvent est choisi parmi les séparateurs gravimétriques centrifuges, les tables densimétriques, et les séparateurs du type à flottation ou les concentrateurs spiraux; selon la nature des déchets, le nombre des métaux à séparer et le type de séparateur, les moyens de séparation peuvent être agencés de différentes manières ; avantageusement, on utilise des concentrateurs gravitaires tels que ceux de la gamme Falcon commercialisés par la société Sepro, Langley, Canada, ou encore ceux (concentrateurs Knelson) commercialisés par la société FLSMidth & Krebbs, Valby, Danemark, ou encore préférentiellement des séparateurs multigravitaires à tambour par la société Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, Royaume-Uni. Particles consisting essentially of metals of different densities (either non-ferrous from the magnetic separation, or all the metals from the previous step when no magnetic separation is provided), are then subjected to a step densimetric separation system for isolating metals of different densities from one another; the separation means may be chosen from centrifugal gravimetric separators, densimetric tables, and flotation type separators or spiral concentrators; depending on the nature of the waste, the number of metals to be separated and the type of separator, the separation means can be arranged in different ways; advantageously, gravity concentrators such as those from the Falcon range marketed by the company Sepro, Langley, Canada, or those (Knelson concentrators) marketed by FLSMidth & Krebbs, Valby, Denmark, or even preferentially multi-gravity drum separators by Salter Cyclones Ltd., Cheltenham, United Kingdom.
Préférentiellement, on fait passer le flux du milieu liquide transportant les particules à séparer en cascade dans une succession de dispositifs de séparation, chaque dispositif délivrant un métal ayant une certaine densité ; toujours selon le type de séparateur, on peut procéder selon des densités croissantes ou selon des densités décroissantes (densités décroissantes avec les séparateurs multigravitaires Salter).  Preferably, the flow of the liquid medium transporting the particles to be separated in cascade is passed through a succession of separation devices, each device delivering a metal having a certain density; depending on the type of separator, it is possible to proceed with increasing densities or decreasing densities (decreasing densities with the Salter multigrain separators).
Eventuellement, on procéder par itération au niveau de chaque séparation pour augmenter la concentration et atteindre ainsi le degré de pureté souhaité pour chaque métal.  Optionally, iteration is carried out at each separation to increase the concentration and thus achieve the degree of purity desired for each metal.
En outre, selon la capacité de séparation des machines par rapport au flux liquide à traiter, on peut prévoir, pour la séparation d'un métal donné, plusieurs machines opérant en parallèle ou cascade.  In addition, depending on the separation capacity of the machines with respect to the liquid stream to be treated, it is possible to provide, for the separation of a given metal, several machines operating in parallel or cascade.
Typiquement, on prévoit le réglage des machines pour la séparation des métaux suivants : aluminium, cuivre, fer, plomb, étain, or, argent, tantale. Mais selon la nature amont des déchets traités (notamment les qualités des cartes électroniques), on peut décider de négliger certains métaux, ou d'en ajouter d'autres.  Typically, it is expected to set machines for the separation of the following metals: aluminum, copper, iron, lead, tin, gold, silver, tantalum. But according to the upstream nature of the treated waste (including the qualities of the electronic cards), one can decide to neglect certain metals, or to add others.
Dans le cas de métaux de densités voisines, il est en outre possible de les séparer conjointement, et de prévoir un traitement de différentiation ultérieur.  In the case of metals of neighboring densities, it is furthermore possible to separate them together, and to provide a subsequent differentiation treatment.
On notera par ailleurs qu'en amont, une séparation par hydrocyclonage du même type que celle utilisée pour séparer les matières plastiques peut être mise en œuvre pour séparer les métaux les moins denses, et en particulier l'aluminium.  It will also be noted that upstream, a hydrocycloning separation of the same type as that used to separate the plastics may be implemented to separate the less dense metals, and in particular aluminum.
Etape 6 : conditionnement final Step 6: Final conditioning
Les différents métaux séparés à l'étape précédente, toujours sous forme de particules dans un véhicule liquide, sont débarrassés du liquide, typiquement par filtration et séchage, puis soumis à des traitements conditionnement, tels qu'une mise en pastilles par compactage, pour chacun des métaux récupérés. The different metals separated in the previous step, still in the form of particles in a liquid vehicle, are freed from the liquid, typically by filtration and drying, and then subjected to treatments conditioning, such as compacting pellets, for each of the recovered metals.
Le cas échéant, on peut procéder à une caractérisation amont des déchets à traiter, par tout procédé d'analyse connu, afin éventuellement d'ajuster les étapes du procédé, et notamment les paramètres de l'hydrocyclonage et de la séparation densimétrique.  If necessary, an upstream characterization of the waste to be treated can be carried out, by any known analysis method, in order possibly to adjust the process steps, and in particular the parameters of the hydrocycloning and the densimetric separation.
On peut également procéder à une caractérisation finale des métaux récupérés, afin d'estimer leur degré de pureté et identifier d'éventuels métaux secondaires encore présents, et déceler les éventuels défauts de séparation dans le processus.  A final characterization of the recovered metals can also be performed to estimate their degree of purity and to identify possible secondary metals still present, and to detect possible separation defects in the process.
Naturellement, la présente invention n'est nullement limitée à la description qui précède, mais l'homme du métier saura y apporter de nombreuses variantes ou modifications.  Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing description, but the skilled person will be able to make many variations or modifications.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 . Procédé de traitement de déchets électroniques en vue de la récupération individualisée de métaux inclus dans de tels déchets, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend la succession des étapes suivantes : 1. Process for the treatment of electronic waste with a view to the individualized recovery of metals included in such waste, characterized in that it comprises the following succession of steps:
- broyage des déchets dans des conditions propres à individualiser les différents constituants métalliques des déchets,  - grinding of the waste in conditions suitable for individualizing the different metallic constituents of the waste,
- mélange des déchets broyés avec un liquide pour former une suspension,  - mixing the crushed waste with a liquid to form a suspension,
- séparation gravitaire de la suspension pour séparer les particules de densités les plus élevées, contenant la majorité des métaux, des particules de densités les plus faibles, et  gravitational separation of the suspension to separate the particles of the highest densities, containing the majority of the metals, from the particles of the lowest densities, and
- séparation densimétrique de la suspension contenant la majorité des métaux pour obtenir des suspensions contenant les métaux individualisés.  - Densimetric separation of the suspension containing the majority of the metals to obtain suspensions containing the individualized metals.
2. Procédé selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que la taille moyenne des particules métalliques après l'étape de broyage est comprise entre environ 10 et 100 pm, et plus préférentiellement comprise entre 20 et 50 pm. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the average size of the metal particles after the grinding step is between about 10 and 100 pm, and more preferably between 20 and 50 pm.
3. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 et 2, caractérisé en ce que les particules métalliques après broyage présentent une valeur de distribution D80 comprise entre environ 25 et 60 pm. 3. Method according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the metal particles after grinding have a distribution value D80 of between about 25 and 60 pm.
4. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce qu'au moins une phase finale du broyage est réalisée par attrition. 4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one final phase of grinding is performed by attrition.
5. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de séparation gravitaire est mise en œuvre par hydrocyclonage. 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the gravity separation step is carried out by hydrocycloning.
6. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 5, caractérisé en ce que la proportion de solide dans la suspension est comprise entre environ 5 et 30% en poids, de préférence entre environ 8 % et 15 % en poids. 6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the proportion of solid in the suspension is between about 5 and 30% by weight, preferably between about 8% and 15% by weight.
7. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce que le liquide est de l'eau, la suspension contenant en outre un agent mouillant. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the liquid is water, the suspension further containing a wetting agent.
8. Procédé selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'agent mouillant est non-ionique. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the wetting agent is nonionic.
9. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de séparation densimétrique est mise en œuvre par une ou plusieurs machines de séparation choisies dans un groupe comprenant les séparateurs gravimétriques centrifuges, les tables densimétriques, les séparateurs du type à flottation, les concentrateurs spiraux et des séparateurs multigravitaires à tambour. 9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the densimetric separation step is carried out by one or more separation machines selected from a group comprising centrifugal gravimetric separators, densimetric tables, separators flotation type, spiral concentrators and multigravity drum separators.
10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un ensemble de machines de séparation reliées en cascade et ajustées sur des gammes de densités différentes. 10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a set of separation machines connected in cascade and adjusted to different density ranges.
1 1. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 10, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend, avant l'étape de séparation densimétrique, une étape de séparation magnétique. 1. Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises, before the densimetric separation step, a magnetic separation step.
12. Procédé selon l'une des revendications 1 à 1 1 , caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend en outre une étape de conditionnement final comprenant une élimination du liquide et une mise en pastilles des métaux séparés. 12. Method according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that it further comprises a final conditioning step comprising a removal of the liquid and pelletization of the separated metals.
EP15787012.2A 2014-09-15 2015-09-15 Method for processing and removing electronic waste with a view to recovering the components included in such waste Pending EP3194076A1 (en)

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