Method for recovering platinum from aviation engine components

Abstract

The disclosure relates generally to methods for platinum recovery from articles. More specifically, the disclosure relates to methods for recovering platinum from gas engine components.

1 . A method for recovering platinum from an gas engine component, said method comprising:
 contacting the engine component with a chemical comprising an acid;   stripping the engine component, wherein said stripping comprises removing the thermal barrier control and platinum aluminide from the engine component;   dissolving soluble metals out of the engine component;   separating the thermal barrier control, platinum aluminide and soluble metals from the engine component;   revealing a platinum-rich layer as part of the engine component;   mechanically separating the platinum-rich layer from the engine component;   centrifuging the platinum-rich layer; and   recovering the platinum from the gas engine component.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said gas engine component is a turbine blade. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component, tumbling of the component, dry ice blasting of the component, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is selected from the group consisting of hand brushing, high pressure water blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, vibratory finishing, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component for a period of at least  3  hours. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by treatment of the component in an ultrasonic environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by tumbling treatment of the component for a period of at least 45 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by treatment of the component in a tumbling environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue. 
     
     
         9 . A method for recovering platinum from a gas engine component, said method comprising:
 contacting the engine component with a chemical comprising an acid;   dissolving at least a portion of a thermal barrier coating and platinum aluminide on said engine component to expose a platinum rich layer;   separating the platinum-containing layer from the thermal barrier coating and platinum aluminide;   mechanically removing the platinum-containing layer from the engine component; and   recovering the platinum from the platinum-containing layer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said gas engine component is a turbine blade. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component, tumbling of the component, dry ice blasting of the component, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is selected from the group consisting of hand brushing, high pressure water blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, vibratory finishing, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component for a period of at least 3 hours. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is accomplished by treatment of the component in an ultrasonic environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue in water. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is accomplished by tumbling treatment of the component for a period of at least 45 minutes. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanically removing step is accomplished by treatment of the component in a tumbling environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue in water. 
     
     
         17 . A method for recovering platinum from a turbine blade, said method comprising:
 dipping the turbine blade into a chemical comprising an acid;   dissolving at least 50% of a thermal barrier coating or platinum aluminide on said turbine blade;   exposing a platinum rich layer on said turbine blade;   mechanically separating the platinum-rich layer from the turbine blade; and   recovering the platinum from the platinum-rich layer by centrifugation.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said gas engine component is a turbine blade. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component, tumbling of the component, dry ice blasting of the component, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is selected from the group consisting of hand brushing, high pressure water blasting, ultrasonic cleaning, vibratory finishing, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by high ultrasonic treatment of the component for a period of at least 3 hours. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by treatment of the component in an ultrasonic environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue in water. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by tumbling treatment of the component for a period of at least 45 minutes. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the separating the platinum-rich layer step is accomplished by treatment of the component in a tumbling environment, and wherein the platinum-rich layer is dislodged from the component and a slurry is formed comprising the platinum-rich residue in water.