Umicore

Wim Dobbelaere

Dirk Crauwels

This disclosure concerns the recovery of PGM (platinum group metals) from spent homogeneous catalysts present in an organic phase. Specifically, a pyrometallurgical process is provided whereby the PGM, and Rh in particular, are concentrated in a metallurgical phases, rendering them accessible for refining according to known processes. To this end, a process is disclosed comprising the steps of: &#x2014;providing a molten bath furnace, having a submerged injector equipped for liquid fuel firing; &#x2014;providing a molten bath comprising a metallic and/or matte phase, and a slag phase; &#x2014;feeding the spent homogeneous catalyst and an Obearing gas through the injector, a major part of the PGM being recovered in the metallic and/or matte phase; &#x2014;separating the PGM-bearing metallic and/or matte phase from the slag phase. The energy content of the organic waste can be effectively used for heating and/or reduction of the metallurgical charge in the furnace. Valuable metals are recovered with high yield, and the environmentally harmful organic waste is destructed.

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Watervliet, Belgium

Wim Dobbelaere