Hydrometallurgical processes for heavy metals recovery from industrial sludges

Gunarathne, V., Rajapaksha, A. U., Vithanage, M., Alessi, D. S., Selvasembian, R., Naushad, M., You, S. , Oleszczuk, P. and Ok, Y. S. (2022) Hydrometallurgical processes for heavy metals recovery from industrial sludges. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology, 52(6), pp. 1022-1062. (doi: 10.1080/10643389.2020.1847949)

Abstract

Hydrometallurgical approaches have been successfully employed for metal separation and recovery from various types of waste materials. Therefore, hydrometallurgy is a promising technology for metal recovery and the removal of potentially toxic heavy metals found in industrial sludge. However, a comprehensive review that focuses on the heavy metal recovery from industrial sludge using hydrometallurgical approaches has not been conducted in the recent past. The present review discusses the capacity of hydrometallurgical techniques in recovering heavy metals sourced from different types of industrial sludges, highlighting recent scientific findings. Hydrometallurgical approaches primarily consist of three process stages: metal dissolution, concentration and purification, and metal recovery. The chemical characteristics of industrial sludge, including the type, concentration and speciation of heavy metals, directly impact selection of the best recovery method. Solvent extraction, ion-exchange, and adsorption are the major techniques employed in concentration and purification, whereas electrodeposition and precipitation are the main methods used in metals recovery. Future research should focus on the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly methods for metal dissolution from industrial sludges contaminated with multiple metals, while increasing selectivity and energy use efficiency in the concentration and purification, and recovery steps.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: You, Dr Siming
• Authors: Gunarathne, V., Rajapaksha, A. U., Vithanage, M., Alessi, D. S., Selvasembian, R., Naushad, M., You, S., Oleszczuk, P., and Ok, Y. S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• Journal Name: Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1064-3389
• ISSN (Online): 1547-6537
• Published Online: 21 December 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Informa UK Limited
• First Published: First published in Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 52(6): 1022-1062
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy