Statistical Optimization of Bioleaching for Simultaneous Recovery of Cu, Sn, Pb, and Zn from Computer-Printed Circuit Boards

• Published in: Journal of chemistry Vol. 2023; pp. 1 - 13
• Main Authors: Manikkampatti Palanisamy, Murugesan, Myneni, Venkata Ratnam, Palaniappan, Akilamudhan, Veerappan, Padmapriya, Lebbai, Minar Mohamed, Kavitha, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Hindawi 13.05.2023; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Bacteria; Bacterial leaching; Bioprocessing; Circuit boards; Circuit components; Circuit printing; Critical components; Electronic devices; Electronic waste; Energy consumption; Experiments; Garbage; Leaching; Lead; Metallurgical analysis; Metals; Microorganisms; Optimization; Powders; Printed circuit boards; Printed circuits; Recycling; Sulfur; Tin; Variables; Waste management; Zinc; Zinc compounds; India
• ISSN: 2090-9063; 2090-9071
• DOI: 10.1155/2023/3432694

Electronic garbage is one of the fastest-growing waste streams. Its disposal and appropriate management are a worldwide concern. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are critical components in contemporary electronic gadgets that contain toxic elements. Bioprocessing of PCBs for metal recovery employing microbial methods has evolved as a green solution in metallurgical operations. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans were used in this study to leach metals from powdered waste PCBs. The RSM is used for optimizing the leaching conditions. The optimal conditions obtained were a bacterial activation period of 28 days, a pulp density of 23 g/L, and a temperature of 31°C. A confirmatory experiment under these optimal circumstances yielded recovery rates of Cu2+, Sn2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ of 95.62%, 96.27%, 95.6%, and 98.25%, respectively.