Isolation of Yttrium and Europium Compounds from Scrap Luminophoric Dust Obtained in the Process of Recovery of Used TV Sets and PC Monitors

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