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2002 Progress Report: Electrolysis and Ion Exchange for the In Process Recycling of Copper from Semi-Conductor Processing Solutions

EPA Grant Number: R829627
Title: Electrolysis and Ion Exchange for the In Process Recycling of Copper from Semi-Conductor Processing Solutions
Investigators: Doyle, Fiona M. , Evans, James W.
Institution: University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Savage, Nora
Project Period: January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004 (Extended to April 30, 2007)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003
Project Amount: $325,000
RFA: Technology for a Sustainable Environment (2001)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

Objective:

The main objective of this research project is to develop an understanding of the electrodeposition of copper onto extended-area electrodes, and of the adsorption/desorption of copper onto ion exchange resins with a high affinity for copper. The principles elucidated in this research project will pave the way for subsequent development of commercial-scale electrolysis/ion exchange processes for recovering copper throughout semiconductor fabrication plants.

Progress Summary:

We performed the following activities during Year 1 of the project:

· Characterized the effect of glycine, citrate, ammonia, and pH on the electrodeposition of copper using a rotating disc electrode.

· Observed that the behavior is strongly sensitive to de-aeration prior to electrolysis.

· Probed the mechanism for the interaction of copper with different bis(pyridylmethyl) amines, the functional group on Dowex M4195.

· Determined kinetics and sorption isotherms for copper on Dowex M4195 in the absence of organic additives. Chloride appears to promote copper uptake.

· Determined the effect of various organic additives on the uptake of copper on Dowex M4195. In general, these additives had a negligible, or mildly deleterious effect, on copper sorption.

· Identified significant shortcomings with the amenability of Dowex M4195 to undergo repeated loading with copper and elution. These appear to be most pronounced when eluting at high pH with ammonia.

· Started the development of a model using the MatLab-based Simulink program to simulate integrated processes incorporating both the electrodeposition and ion exchange operations in different configurations.

Future Activities:

During the next year, we plan to:

· Complete laboratory-scale electrochemical investigations using a rotating copper electrode, while expanding the scope to include an Electrochemical Quartz Crystal Microbalance.

· Start work on applying extended surface area electrodes to solutions representative of semiconductor industry wastes.

· Conclude work on elution of Dowex M4195, and its performance under repeated cycles of loading and elution.

· Obtain sorption and desorption isotherms for strong cation exchange resins such as sulfonates.

· Possibly obtain sorption and desorption isotherms for weak cation exchange resins, or anion exchange resins, to provide for flexibility in treating solutions with different speciation.

· Analyze sorption and desorption isotherms to provide a basis for models for uptake and selectivity of metals onto resins.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 11 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

water, heavy metals, effluent, environmentally conscious manufacturing, clean technologies, cleaner production, copper recycling, in-process recycling, ion exchange, semi-conductor processing, semiconductor industry, semiconductor manufacturing. , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Economics and Business, semiconductor manufacturing, in process recycling, semi-conductor processing, cleaner production, clean technologies, waste minimization, semiconductor industry, copper recycling
Relevant Websites:

http://www.mse.berkeley.edu/Groups/Evans/Ran/Removal_Of_Dissolved_Copper.html exit EPA

Progress and Final Reports:
Original Abstract
2003 Progress Report
2004 Progress Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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