Method and system for extracting metal from glass waste

• Main Author: LOUGH LARRY LEE
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.05.2005
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF GLASSES, GLAZES, OR VITREOUSENAMELS; CHEMISTRY; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION ORPROCESSING OF GOODS; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GLASS; JOINING GLASS TO GLASS OR OTHER MATERIALS; METALLURGY; MINERAL OR SLAG WOOL; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS; PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF FIBRES OR FILAMENTS MADE FROM GLASS,MINERALS OR SLAGS; SURFACE TREATMENT OF GLASS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS

A method and systems are provided for extracting heavy metal from glass waste. Glass is initially crushed to a diameter size between about 10 nanometers and about 2 millimeters. The glass is then added to a tank having a solution of water and acid, where the acid removes metal from the surface of the glass particles. In some embodiments, the solution and glass particles are elevated to a configurable temperature above ambient temperature and circulated for a configurable period of time. The solution is then separated from the glass particles. In some embodiments, the glass particles are then rinsed while in transit to a final destination or in a separate rinsing tank.