A Study of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) E-Waste Recycling Process

Introduction

One of the fastest-growing solid waste sources in the world is electronic garbage (or “e-waste”). Because of the high value and small mineral deposits, urban mining from waste PCBs is particularly appealing. Waste PCBs were subjected to high temperature pyrolysis in an argon-filled horizontal tube furnace at temperatures between 750°C and 1350°C. To prevent thermal shock, samples were placed in the furnace's cool zone for ten minutes before being subjected to high temperatures for up to twenty(Khalid et al., 2021). The global production of outdated equipment was estimated at 41.8 million metric tonnes. The worldwide production of E-waste is largely a result of technological advancements and the planned obsolescence of EEE. The majority of e-waste is either dumped or disposed of in landfills; only a small portion is processed or repurposed. E-waste contains a vast variety of materials in the form of a highly complicated amalgamation of polymers. EEE can have up to 60% non-metal components, such as polymers, resins, and fibres, and up to 40% metals. There is currently no recognised standard procedure for treating e-waste, which causes wide variances in the recyclable materials (Kumar et al., 2023; Morf et al., 2007). The majority of e-waste also includes harmful and dangerous substances. Ten percent to twenty percent of discarded PCBs may include copper. Open burning, manual dismantling and disassembly, and pyrometallurgy are a few of the techniques used. The operation of these processes may result in the production of extra dangerous chemicals if they are insufficient or unsafe. The creation of these dangerous and poisonous pollutants has the potential to pollute at high levels and seriously harm both the environment and human health (Boopathi, 2022a). The disposal of these residues and related emissions discharge can contaminate nearby recycling sites' water, soil, and air. As the particles move through the air or water, they might also spread over larger areas. It is vital to create environmentally sound methods for recycling e-waste and to lessen the amount of waste that is thrown out or dumped. Increasing the lifespan of precious materials and reducing the quantity of natural resources needed to produce EEE are both important goals (Hanafi et al., 2012).