Mitigating metal loss in waste printed circuit boards reverse flotation: The critical role of particle dispersion

Abbadi, Alaa and Bokányi, Ljudmilla (2025) Mitigating metal loss in waste printed circuit boards reverse flotation: The critical role of particle dispersion. GEOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING: A PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MISKOLC, 12 (2). pp. 93-108. ISSN 2063-6997

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Abstract

Froth flotation is emerging as a key technique in Waste Printed Circuit Board (WPCB) recycling, but its efficiency is hindered by the spontaneous aggregation of hydrophobic non-metallic particles, which entrap metals and promote foam formation. This study investigates particle aggregation during pulping and evaluates intense agitation as a pretreatment strategy, focusing on the effect of agitation energy on particle dispersion and its direct impact on flotation. Results showed that aggregation decreased with increasing agitation, reaching optimal dispersion with an Aggregation Index (AI) of 6.6% ±2.5% at 1500 rpm; however, higher energy (2000 rpm) led to foam formation and worsened dispersion (AI = 39.8% ±6.3%), with significant metal entrapment. Flotation outcomes correlated directly with dispersion: increasing stirring speed from 500 to 1500 rpm raised underflow metal recovery from 51.71% to 79.34%. These findings establish a quantitative link between agitation energy, dispersion, and flotation performance, providing a practical pathway through optimized intense agitation pretreatment to facilitate pulping, reduce metal losses, and enhance WPCB reverse flotation efficiency.

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