Method for recovering metals from secondary materials and other materials comprising organic constituents

Abstract

A method for recovering metals, such as noble metals or copper, from secondary materials and other materials having organic constituents, wherein the organic components are extracted from the secondary materials and other material by thermal treatment in a process chamber and the secondary materials and other materials having organic constituents are prepared for the recovery process.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for recovering metals such as noble metals or copper from secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents, the method comprising the steps of: removing organic components from the secondary materials and other materials by treatment in at least one process chamber; preparing the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents for a recovery process, wherein the recovery process is configured in at least two stages, so that at least one first metal and a second metal are recoverable; controlling process variables of a first stage of the recovery process so that formation of a highly fluid slag is supported; and providing a process gas treatment subsequent to the first stage of the recovery process to reduce amounts of combustible gases and pollutants. 
     
     
         22 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including providing the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents for the recovery process in a batchwise or continuous manner, 
     
     
         23 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including supplying the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents continuously to the recovery process. 
     
     
         24 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including supplying the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents discontinuously to the recovery process. 
     
     
         25 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 25 , including preparing the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents for the recovery process so that an essentially comparable amount of organic material is present and as a result the continuous feed is supported. 
     
     
         26 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including preparing the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents for the recovery process by characterization and/or presorting and/or comminution. 
     
     
         27 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including preparing and analyzing the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents for the recovery process so that information on slag formers (Fe/FeO, SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , CaO, Na 2 O, Mn, Cr) is used for feeding additives and operating materials so that a formation of a highly fluid slag is supported. 
     
     
         28 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including providing a process gas treatment in an off-gas treatment chamber for reducing amounts of combustible gases and pollutants downstream from the first stage of the recovery process. 
     
     
         29 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 28 , including subjecting the process gas to a post-combustion for reducing the amounts of combustible gases by adding oxygen. 
     
     
         30 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 29 , including adding pure oxygen, 
     
     
         31 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 29 , including adding a mixture consisting of pure oxygen and ambient air. (New) The method for recovering metals according to  claim 29 , wherein, inside the off-gas treatment chamber for reducing the amounts of combustible gases and pollutants, an oxygen concentration of 10% is provided, so that a nearly complete post-combustion for reducing the amounts of combustible gases is supported even in the presence of varying percentages of organic constituents the secondary materials and other materials. 
     
     
         33 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , including removing the organic components from the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents in the first stage of the recovery process by a thermal and oxidizing treatment in at least one process chamber. 
     
     
         34 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 33 , wherein, after the thermal and oxidizing treatment of the first stage of the recovery process, a copper-containing melt and a tin-containing slag are present, which are separated from each other. 
     
     
         35 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 34 , wherein the first stage of the recovery process is concluded by a converting treatment of the copper-containing melt. 
     
     
         36 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 34 , wherein the second stage of the recovery process comprises a chemically reducing treatment of the tin-containing slag. 
     
     
         37 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 36 , wherein a mixed tin process is conducted. 
     
     
         38 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 36 , wherein the method is conducted without a mixed tin process. 
     
     
         39 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , wherein a process chamber of the first stage of the recovery process is formed by a TBRC or rotary kiln or rotary drum furnace or an ISA smelter, and a process chamber of the second stage of the recovery process is formed by a melting furnace. 
     
     
         40 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 21 , wherein the secondary materials and other materials with organic constituents are formed by electronic scrap and/or cable scrap or plastic scrap from electrical or electronic devices, wherein a total amount of organic material is in a range of 5-60%. 
     
     
         41 . The method for recovering metals according to  claim 40 , wherein the total amount of organic material is in a range of 20-40%.