Reclaim Precious Metals From Spent Catalysts With Zero Discharge

By: R. DeSantis
Sabin Metal Corp.

Catalysts that contain platinum group metals (PGMs) are widely used in hydrocarbon processing, both for facilitating production processes, as well as for controlling/abating harmful or unlawful exhaust emissions for end-of-pipe applications. Typical catalysts employed in petrochemical/hydrocarbon processing applications incorporate PGMs, which are deposited on catalyst supports such as soluble or insoluble alumina, silica/alumina or zeolites.

At the exhaust end of a process, catalysts are also widely used for end-of-pipe control to reduce and/or eliminate atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants generated by hydrocarbon processes. Catalysts used for these applications typically contain platinum, palladium and to a lesser extent gold and/or rhodium, either alone or in some combination.

Virtually all chemical/petrochemical/and other hydrocarbon processing manufacturers use fixed-bed reaction catalysts. Most – if not all – of these organizations depend upon precious metals refiners to reclaim valuable metals from their spent catalysts. Precious metals may also be recovered from waste byproducts such as filter cakes, papers, cloths, polishing filters, floor sweepings and protective clothing. However, many catalyst users may not be aware of the legal implications involved concerning effluent or atmospheric discharges at the refiners they select. Choosing the wrong refiner can be a costly mistake.