System For Recycling Printed Circuit Boards

Abstract

A process for recycling printed circuit boards includes pyrolyzing a number printed circuit boards to from an ash. Metals form the circuit boards are separated from the ash by density separation techniques. The metals are formed into a slurry electrode. The slurry electrode and a deposition electrode are placed in an electrolyte bath and the metals are electrorefined to form bars of metal. The slurry electrode is made by combining powderized metals with carbon powder and an ionic liquid to form an electrode paste. The electrode paste is placed inside a container with a screen to form the slurry electrode.

1 . A process for recycling printed circuit boards, comprising the steps of:
 pyrolyzing a plurality of printed circuit boards to form an ash;   separating a plurality of metals from the ash; and   electrorefining the plurality of metals, to form a plurality of pure metal bars.   
   
   
       2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the step of electrorefining includes the step of creating a slurry electrode. 
   
   
       3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the step of creating a slurry electrode includes mixing the plurality of metal with a carbon powder to form a electrode powder. 
   
   
       4 . The process of  claim 3 , further including the steps of mixing the electrode powder with an ionic liquid to form an electrode paste. 
   
   
       5 . The process of  claim 4 , further including the steps of placing the electrode paste in an electrode container having a screen. 
   
   
       6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the step of electrorefining includes the steps of creating an ionic liquid of choline chloride ethylene glycol. 
   
   
       7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein an anode and a cathode of the electrorefining step are stacked vertically. 
   
   
       8 . A process for electrorefining a plurality of metals comprising the steps of:
 combining a plurality of metals in powder form with a carbon powder to form an electrode powder;   mixing the electrode powder with an ionic liquid to form an electrode paste;   placing the electrode paste in a holder to form a slurry electrode;   placing a deposition electron next to the slurry electrode in an electrolyte bath; and   applying a voltage between the slurry electrode and the deposition electrode.   
   
   
       9 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the step of combining the plurality of metals in powder form includes the step of grinding the plurality of metals. 
   
   
       10 . The process of  claim 8 , wherein the step of applying the voltage includes the step of increasing the voltage until a current exceeds a predetermined threshold.