Recovery of yttrium in light emitting diode lamps by hydrometallurgical process

• Grant number: 19/09669-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: July 01, 2019 - December 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Extractive Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa
• Grantee: Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa
• Host Institution: Escola Politécnica (EP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Jaqueline Benvenuti ; Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório

Abstract

The energetic efficiency and environmental appeal of LED use compared with incandescent and fluorescent lighting have collaborated to diffusion and absorption of this product in the lighting market. Consequently, waste generation has increased. Contrary to the established in law for fluorescent lamps, LEDs do not have the obligation in reverse logistics. Therefore, there is not motrix force to collect and treat those lamps yet, especially a recovery of valuable metals can foster this logistics. It is visible the need in give a destination to this waste, classified as from electrical and electronic equipment. Besides the possibility of metals recovery, like silver, copper, gallium and rare earths, cases of contamination of soil and water bodies with harmful elements such as lead would be avoided. Urban mining is a promising alternative to instigate valuation and treatment of LED lamps. Additionally, would reduce strategic materials' loss, like rare earths. Fact which benefices the purpose of circular economy. Finally, it is attractive the metals recovery from end-of-life LEDs, which is an activity still little studied. Looking for a motivation to treat wasted LED lamp and give its value through recycling, this project aims the study of yttrium recovery from LED lamps. For this purpose, will be made the literature review, collection, physical processing, characterization of wasted LED lamps, the simulation of diagrams and metallurgical reactions in thermodynamic software and extraction of yttrium by hydrometallurgical process. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DE OLIVEIRA, R. P.; BENVENUTI, J.; ESPINOSA, D. C. R.. A review of the current progress in recycling technologies for gallium and rare earth elements from light-emitting diodes. RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS, v. 145, JUL 2021. (19/09669-7)