Recovery of platinum group metals out of automotive catalytic converters scrap: A review on australian trends and challenges

Abstract

The Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are of substantial technological prominence. They are also extremely rare, because of their low natural existence and their complicated extraction and refining process. To meet the future demand and preserve resources, it is essential to process end-of-life platinum-containing materials, such as catalytic converters. PGMs recovery from catalytic converters scrap commonly carried out by pyro/hydrometallurgical processes that involved thermal treatment followed by leaching and solvent extraction. This paper reviews current methods in used in the recovery of PGMs out of waste catalytic converters in Australia and discusses some of the key factors and opportunities in improving the existing methodologies. Emerging trends that are likely to affect the current or future PGM recovery are also explored.