Investigate the liberation of copper from waste Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)

Abstract

Nowadays the waste PCBs increasing sharply proportionally the number of personal computers which is 5.7 million in 2005 and the predict amounts, it will be increase to 11.5 Million in 2010 (Unit Perancangan Ekonomi, 2006). From that figure it shows that, computer or Printed Circuit Board (PCB) which is one of the electric and electronic components may cause environmental problems during the waste management phase if it is not properly pre treated. Considering of the environmental problem, recycling of waste PCBs is an important subject not only from the treatment for waste but also from the recovery of valuable materials. The studies are focused on liberation size of copper in waste Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs). Waste PCBs sample were cut, dry crushed and ground down to assemble the criteria of liberation particle size of samples and sieved with the chosen size fraction. Samples were dissolved into aqua regia solution and analyzed with Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to determine the presence of valuable metals in solution that consists in samples. As well, light microscope was used to determine the degree of liberation of copper from PCBs particles. As the result it shows that Cu element (9.97%) is the highest metal composition in PCBs and it is very worth to recycle. At particles size 300 μm, it been seen from microscope that Cu particles start to fully liberated with metal and non-metal element.