Copper recovery is extracting copper metal from copper-containing waste, industrial by-products, or waste products and reprocessing it into reusable materials. As an important industrial metal (excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance), copper has a very high recycling value, and about 30% of global copper demand is met through recycling.
Activated carbon in copper recovery can rapidly enrich and separate copper ions through physical and chemical adsorption, reduce wastewater discharge pollution and promote resource recycling， lower treatment costs and increase the utilization value of low-grade copper resources.
3.1 Leaching solution adsorption
Acid leaching solution treatment: In wet metallurgy, after copper ore is leached by sulfuric acid, activated carbon can adsorb Cu²⁺ in the solution, which is especially suitable for the enrichment of low-concentration solutions.
Adsorption by complex system: If copper exists as complex ions (e.g. [Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺), activated carbon can be selectively adsorbed by surface functional groups.
3.2 Replacement precipitation assistance
Used in conjunction with reducing agents such as iron powder, activated carbon adsorbs Cu²⁺ and then promotes its reduction to metallic copper, enhancing precipitation efficiency.
3.3 Electrolytic recovery electrode material
Modified activated carbon is used as an electrode to enhance electrical conductivity and improve copper precipitation efficiency in electrochemical deposition.
3.4 Wastewater Treatment
Adsorption of trace copper ions in industrial wastewater to ensure discharge compliance (e.g., below 0.5 mg/L).
Coal powder activated carbon: is suitable for high concentration or complex wastewater, or processes requiring multiple regeneration or economic priority
Wood powder activated carbon: is suited for Low concentration, high purity copper recovery, Single-use or short-term projects, High environmental requirements
Activated carbon's high efficiency, environmental protection, and economic characteristics make it an indispensable technical link in the copper recycling industry chain. With the current global shortage of copper resources and environmental protection requirements tending to tighten the background, the application of activated carbon will be further expanded.
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