• Resources Recycling
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.3-16
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• 2014

Recycling of spent autocatalyst that includes the platinum group metals (PGMs), namely palladium, platinum and rhodium, is a very profitable endeavor. In order to ensure an efficient promotion of an appropriate policy-making and the technical development of the recycling process of spent autocatalyst in Korea, the generated amount, trading conditions, and recycling technology for spent autocatalyst were surveyed. The generated amount of spent autocatalyst was estimated by analyzing the domestic statistical data of registration & disuse of automobiles and the records of autocatalyst installation to new cars. The review of the recycling technology was carried out by surveying the recycling processes of 'Heesung PMTech Ltd.', which is the largest company in the recycling industry for spent autocatalyst in Korea. In addition to the above, some policy suggestions for the improvement of recycling industries for spent autocatalyst were offered.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.819-825
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• 2000

The physico-chemical characteristics and the combustion activities of a waste automotive catalyst were carried out in this study. The physico-chemical characteristics of waste automotive catalyst was examined by EA(Elemental analysis), ICP-AES (Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrophotometer), and XRD(X-ray diffraction) analysis. Carbon deposit amount was higher in front brick than rear brick of catalyst, and increased with mileage. The content of Pt. Pd and Rh in waste automotive catalyst was different from the car manufacturing company. The combustion activities of waste automotive catalyst were investigated for acetaldehyde as a model VOC in a fixed bed reactor at atmospheric pressure. The catalytic activity of rear brick for acetaldehyde combustion was better than front brick of waste automotive catalyst. The catalytic activity of waste automotive catalyst for acetaldehyde combustion decreased with mileage. The linear relationship between catalytic activity and mileage was negative and has a very excellent correlation. Finally, the waste automotive catalyst has a good catalytic activity for acetaldehyde combustion. and can be used to control of small emission source.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.574-581
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• 2008

The optimum regeneration conditions for the regeneration of three way spent catalysts (TWCs), which were taken from automobiles with different driving conditions, were investigated to evaluate the suitability as alternative catalysts for removing VOCs. The spent catalysts were washed with five different acids ($HNO_3$, $H_2SO_4$, $C_2H_2O_4$, $C_6H_8O_7$, and $H_3PO_4$) to remove contaminants and examine the optimum conditions for recovering the catalytic activity. The physicochemical properties of spent and its regenerated TWCs were evaluated by using nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, XRD, and ICP. The relative atomic ratios of contaminants and platinum group metals (PGMs) of the spent TWCs were greatly dependent on the placed positions. The main contaminants formed were lubricant oil additives and metallic components. Also, the regeneration treatment increased the PGMs ratio, BET surface area, and average pore diameter of TWCs. The catalytic activity results indicated that the spent TWCs have the possibility for removing VOCs. Moreover, the employed acid treatments greatly enhanced the catalytic activity of the spent TWCs. Especially, nitric and oxalic acids provided the most improvement in the catalytic behavior. The catalytic activities of the regenerated TWCs were significantly influenced by the containing platinum ratios rather than the removal ratios of contaminants and the changes in the structural properties offered by the acid treatments.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.430-436
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• 2009

Deactivated three-way catalysts which had been exposed to gasoline engine exhaust for a long time were remanufactured by ultra sonic cleaning with distilled water, sulfuric acid solution and impregnation with precious metals (Pt, Pd, Rh). The catalytic properties as well as conversion reactivity of CO, THC and NOx about fresh, aged and remanufactured catalysts were examined. Most of the pollutants deposited on the aged three-way catalysts were removed in the remanufacturing process of those catalysts. At the same time a little amount of precious metals like Pt and Pd were removed in the remanufacturing process. Under the experimental condition used in this study, in the case of the remanufactured catalysts with impregnation of precious metals, the catalytic activities were recovered to almost the same level, or higher level of that of the fresh catalyst.

• Proceedings of the Korea Air Pollution Research Association Conference
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• 2000.04a
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• pp.231-232
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• 2000

자동차 보급의 증가에 의한 심각한 대기오염으로 인하여 국내 제작차(휘발유 자동차)의 경우 1987년부터 자동차 배기가스 정화용 촉매 전환기의 장착을 의무화하였다(환경부, 1998). 자동차용 촉매로 많이 사용되는 귀금속은 백금(Pt), 팔라듐(Pd), 로듐(Rh)이며, 수요비율은 백금이 전체 수요의 39%, 팔라듐이 16%, 로듐이 96%로 자동차용으로 많은 귀금속이 사용되고 있음을 알 수 있다. (중략)

• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.3-16
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• 2017

Chemical catalyst products are applied to various fields such as petrochemical process, air pollution prevention facility and automobile exhaust gas purifier. The domestic and overseas chemical catalyst market is increasing every year, and the amount of waste catalyst generated thereby is also increasing. Most of the used chemical catalyst products, such as desulfurized waste catalysts and automobile waste catalysts containing valuable metals are important recyclable resources from a substitute resource point of view. The recycling processes for recovering valuable metals have been commercialized through some urban mining companies, and SCR denitration catalysts have been recycled through some remanufacturing companies. In this paper, the amount of domestic production and recycling of major catalyst products have thus been investigated and analyzed so as to be used as basic data for establishing industrial support policy for recycling of used chemical catalyst products. Also tasks for promoting the recycling of used chemical catalyst products are suggested.

• Ceramist
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.29-40
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• 2011

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.28-36
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• 2008

The effect of attrition scrubbing on the recovery of platinum group metals (PGMs) from automobile catalytic converters has been investigated. Catalytic converters were first crushed into particles less than 2 mm and attrition scrubbed in the range of 60 min, and then they were sieved with several screens. The catalyst layer, $\gamma$-alumina, was dislodged from the surface of the supporting matrix into fine particles less than $45{\mu}m$ by attrition scrubbing. The fraction of fine particles less than $45{\mu}m$ increased as the residence time for attrition scrubbing increased. The composition of the fine fraction obtained at a residence time of 40 min was $CeO_2$ 19.3%, $ZrO_2$ 1.9% and PGMs 419 ppm. In the fine fraction, the recovery of y-alumina increased proportionally to the residence time. Simultaneously, the recovery rates of $CeO_2$, $ZrO_2$ and PGMs increased to 82.9%, 78.7% and 78.9%, respectively. The production of the fine fraction less than $45{\mu}m$ and the recovery of $\gamma$-alumina increased when the solid concentration and initial feed size increased. Therefore, the attrition scrubbing as the comminution and separation process was concerned to be effective for the recovery of catalyst layer from ceramic supporting matrix by physical impact and shearing action between particles in the scrubbing vessel.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.15 no.5 s.73
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• pp.3-10
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• 2006

The solvent extraction for the separation of platinum group metals from the leach liquor of spent automotive catalysts has been studied. Tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP), tri-n-octylamine (TOA) and di-n-hexyl sulfide (DHS) were used as extractants and kerosene as a diluent. The extraction behavior of platinum, palladium and rhodium has been investigated as functions of different kinds of extractants and their concentrations. In addition, the extraction behavior of the major metal impurities such as cerium, lead, iron, magnesium and aluminum has been investigated. Platinum and palladium were extracted with TBP. And platinum, palladium and rhodium were extracted with TOA. Platinum was co-extracted with palladium into the organic phase by solvent extraction using SFI-6 of DHS extractant, but only palladium was selectively extracted with SFI-6R. The selective extraction of palladium with SFI-6R was found better than that with SFI-6, but the kinetics of extraction with SFI-6R was found poor in comparison to SFI-6. The metal impurities extracted simultaneously during the extraction of platinum group metals should be removed in scrubbing and stripping processes. A suitable process has been proposed for the separation of platinum group metals from the leach liquor of spent automotive catalysts. Initially palladium was extracted with SFI-6R, followed by the separation of platinum with TBP or TOA leaving rhodium in the raffinate.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2007

Various commercial catalysts used in chemical related applications have been disposed as an industrial waste when the catalytic activity of catalysts is not good enough to achieve an optimum yield. In addition, the amount of disposed three way catalysts (TWC) has been continuously increased. Considering the physicochemical, environmental, and economical characteristics, the deactivated spent catalysts can be treated in several alternative ways such as regeneration, recycling, and disposal. In view of the environmental and economical matters, the spent catalyst should be regenerated and used for the various purposes, although its activity is not as good as a fresh catalyst. On the other hand, spent catalysts containing noble and metal oxides can be applicable for the catalytic oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by applying the proper treatment method. Therefore in this review the quantity of the spent catalysts and the available regeneration methods for the spent catalysts are briefly summarized and especially the proper regeneration method for applying the catalytic oxidation of VOCs and its results are introduced.