An Exploratory Study of Electronic Waste Treatment: Microwave-induced Pyrolysis

The disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or "electronic waste" is an important issue all over the world. Routine treatment methods were discussed here. However, environmental risks were seldom considered fully by routine methods. Microwave-induced pyrolysis, which is collaboration of microwave heating and tip discharge, was proposed as a novel way to dispose of WEEE. Due to the rapid heating by microwave irradiation, dioxins and furans could be avoided effectively. After pyrolysis, the gas and liquid products could be recovered as fuel gas and chemical feedstock respectively, the abundant metals, such as Fe, Cu, etc., would be more convenient to be separated and recovered from the solid products. Thus, by means of microwave-induced pyrolysis, it is potential to realize metals recycle, products reuse as well as pollution avoidance.