Academy of Sciences of the Czech republic › Science and Research › Significant and interesting projects › Life and Chemical Sciences Division
To reuse the glass from spent TV sets or PC monitors there is necessary to remove a luminophoric layer from the inner side of the screen.as it changes after re-melting optical properties of the glass. This material contains about 10% of yttrium and about 1% of europium, as well as other heavy metals and up to now it is dumped like a hazardous waste. In ICPF, a new method for Y, Eu isolation was developed and verified.
The process is based on a selective liquid-liquid extraction of both valuable elements by phosphorus esters, while all escorting elements remain in a raffinate. Yttrium and europium is then isolated from the organic extract in a form of oxides.
Method was tested in a semiplant scale in Safina Vestec, Ltd. and recently, the data for a technological equipment design are being completed.
The process is protected by PCT both in CR and abroad.
CONTACT PERSON:
Ing. Václav Gruber, CSc
phone: 220 390 249
e-mail: gruber@icpf.cas.cz
Institute of Chemical Process Fundamentals, of the ASCR