YES, MY PRECIOUSYES, MY PRECIOUSThe right refiner can add profits and ensure peace of mind when recovering and refining spent precious metal catalysts from catalytic abatement and reaction processes. By Kevin M. Beirne
Most manufacturing and processing organizations are concerned with pollution abatement in one form or another, and many use complex and costly equipment to safely and legally exhaust noxious, toxic or odoriferous emissions.
Some of these systems incorporate catalytic oxidizers and catalytic reactors that use precious metal-bearing catalysts designed to eliminate virtually all emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Typical facilities that employ catalytic abatement technologies include pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical, painting/coating and hydrocarbon processing firms, among others. Precious metal-bearing catalysts are also used to facilitate process reactions, especially by chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical and hydrocarbon industries.
Use of precious metal-bearing catalysts for pollution abatement applications is accomplished with "carriers" in various forms, such as pellets, beads and monolithic structures (substrates). The catalysts are deposited on supports such as carbon, soluble or insoluble alumina, silica/alumina, or zeolite. Specific configurations are usually dictated by the equipment and/or process used.
For end-of-pipe pollution abatement applications, most facilities employ fixed-bed reaction catalysts. No matter which configuration is used, eventually the catalysts lose their effectiveness, and their remaining precious metals must be recovered. Processes utilizing catalysts also generate other sources of precious metals such as waste by-products from filter cakes, papers, cloths, polishing filters, floor sweepings and even protective clothing.
Users of precious metal catalysts for these applications must keep a close watch on precious metals prices, since they affect a precious metal asset recovery program in a number of ways. Clearly, it is in one’s best interest to obtain the highest possible dollar value from reclaiming spent precious metals catalysts. It is also advantageous to receive returns as quickly as possible (since this will reduce metal inventory costs). These two issues aside, it is critical that readers are aware of the legal implications associated with possible environmental violations by a precious metal refining organization. Selecting the wrong refiner can be a very expensive mistake.
When one thinks about precious metals refining, chances are it does not evoke pleasant thoughts with regard to conservation and environmental responsibility. It is critical, therefore, to be aware of certain issues surrounding recovering and refining spent catalysts. When selecting a refiner, one must not only be aware of how one’s own materials will be processed, but those of the refiner’s other customers as well. Specifically with regard to environmental concerns, one should know how any solid, liquid or gaseous by-product is handled at the processing facility.
How does one select a precious metals refiner that will provide the "highest and fastest" returns? There are questions to ask and procedures to follow, combined with a little due diligence and some common sense:
These are probably the most fundamental areas to start the decision-making process. If you have received satisfactory answers to these questions, investigate further since the ultimate goal is to work with a refiner on a mutually beneficial basis.
To cultivate trust, select the refiner willing to provide detailed weight and analysis reports on shipments. The most advanced laboratories typically assay samples in triplicate to assure precise precious metal measurements. A reputable organization will allow you to be present during the sampling of your materials and will also permit you to conduct independent analysis if desired.
Avoid legal/environmental problems when selecting a refiner. Ideally, the refiner should operate a processing facility from which no hazardous production waste materials are shipped. Exhaust air quality should be managed with state-of-the-art pollution control systems, and process water evaporation should minimize all liquid effluent discharge. While each of these functions is fundamental, there are many hidden pitfalls surrounding them with regard to environmental regulations.
Request full documentation from the catalyst refiner, as it may help determine that the refiner selected does not violate any applicable environmental law or regulation. The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund Act, addresses the joint customer/refiner responsibility. This law mandates that both the company which is the source of the material for precious metal recovery and the precious metal refiner share in the "cradle to grave" responsibility as well as the future liability for the proper treatment of the material. Essentially, the environment must be protected to avoid serious financial and legal consequences: Your refiner’s violation of these laws or regulations could result in heavy fines and legal costs to you.
An excellent way to determine if a refining facility meets these criteria is to look
for the effective utilization of sophisticated pollution abatement technology such as afterburners, baghouses, wet scrubbers, and liquid effluent neutralizing equipment. Also, evaluate the refiner’s approval status with local, state and federal agencies. A precious metal refiner should be willing to furnish copies of all required documentation. These include permits under the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and proof whether the company qualifies as a bonafide precious metal refiner as specified in the preamble to the Boiler and Industrial Furnace (BIF) rule, and its amendments.
Talk to as many existing customers currently working with a refiner under consideration. It’s important that your relationship with a refiner is based upon trust and fair treatment, and there’s no reason why it cannot be that way. These characteristics—while somewhat elusive—can usually be ascertained after talking to a refiner’s customers. Chances are they can help with information on the refiner’s performance history, industry reputation and perhaps even its financial resources.
Carefully evaluate the processing methods the refiner uses for reclaiming precious metals. To ensure maximum yield, look for a refiner that maintains a modern, well-equipped analytical laboratory. The ideal facility would utilize classic volumetric, gravimetric, and fire assay techniques, advanced X-ray fluorescence equipment, atomic absorption, and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) emission spectroscopy. These techniques are considered state-of-the-art industry standards. When used individually-or in combination- they provide the most exacting methods for determining precious metal content in spent materials, thus ensuring the highest possible returns.
It’s also best to work with a refiner that has significant in-house capability and does not rely on subcontractors. The more it costs the refiner to process your materials, the less your overall return will be. Depending upon the specific precious metal (and content) of your spent catalyst to be reclaimed, refiners generally use a combination of pyro-metallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes to achieve the highest possible metal recovery at the lowest possible cost.
Also, check the refiner’s equipment and procedures. Most refiners employ a wide variety of equipment and procedures to process spent catalysts. These include rotary, crucible, and electric arc furnaces, kilns, roasters, thermal processors, pulverizers, granulators, screens, blenders, auto samplers, reactors, dissolvers, precipitators, electrolytic cells, and filter presses. In many cases, how this equipment is employed may have a bearing on the percentage of precious metals recovered from spent catalysts and also on the refiner’s policies relating to effluent and atmospheric discharges.
There are many variables associated with recovery and refining precious metals from spent pollution abatement catalysts. While some of them may be more relevant to your particular application, keep in mind that they are generally interrelated so as to help you paint an overall performance picture from you precious metals refiner.
Above all, don’t lose sight of the full compliance issues with regard to environmental regulations. All else being equal—highest possible returns and fastest possible turnaround times—the environmental issue can come back to bite you if your refiner is involved with a serious violation. Remember, whether we like it or not, we are all "partners" with government regulatory agencies as far as precious metals recovery and refining are concerned.
Kevin M. Beirne is vice president of sales and marketing for Sabin Metal Corp., of East Hampton, N.Y.
To ensure that your relationship with a precious metals refiner will be mutually profitable and based upon trust and fair treatment, you must address several key questions: