Recovering Precious Metals From Spent Catalysts — Are You Getting the Best Return?

By: Kevin Beirne
Sabin Metal Corp.

Precious metal-bearing catalysts are used widely for pollution abatement by many industries, including chemical, petrochemical, plastics, painting/coating, and pharmaceutical, among others.

Many organizations use catalytic reaction technology to prevent emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Catalysts used in these reactors contain precious metals that include palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, gold and silver — individually or in combination. Depending upon equipment and/or process used, these precious metals are configured with carriers in various forms, such as pellets, beads, and monolithic structures (substrates). While in use, catalysts eventually lose their effectiveness, and their remaining precious metals must be recovered.

As a user of precious metal bearing catalysts, it is obviously in your best interest to obtain the highest possible dollar return from reclaiming spent catalysts; to shorten return times, thus minimizing metal financing costs; and to work with a refiner that is in full compliance with local, state and federal environmental laws. We'll discuss each of these issues, providing you with the general guidelines on how to achieve these objectives.