EXTRACTION AND PURIFICATION OF PGM SOLUTIONS OBTAINED FROM METALLURGICAL TREATMENT OF USED AUTOMOTIVE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS

摘要

Today, the demand for platinum is constantly growing. It is related to its use as a catalyst mainly in the production of cars. Car production has been increased year by year, consequently the used catalytic converters is the biggest problem. On the one hand, it is a waste, on the other it is also a source of valuable and precious metals. Thus, the automotive catalytic converter is treated hydrometallurgically and pyrometallurgically to recover valuable metals. However, this process is not so easy. After obtaining solutions containing precious metals from hydrometallurgical methods or alloys of the metal collector with PGM (Platinum Group Metals) from pyrometallurgical methods there should be separation and purification of PGM. These processes are difficult and complicated due to their resistance to chemicals attack and the ability to create many chemical compounds. The article presents and discusses the possible methods of separation and purification of platinum and PGM (e.g. liquid-liquid extraction, adsorption, ion exchange).