Open Access Conference Proceedings

The spent auto catalytic converters are a valuable source of platinum group metals (PGM metals), such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. There are two main types of structures used in construction of catalytic converters –ceramic or metallic carrier. Metal supported auto catalysts have been used in sports and racing cars initially, but nowadays their application systematically increases. World literature describes a number of pyro- or hydrometallurgical methods that are used for recovery of the platinum and other precious metals from used auto catalytic converters. However, all the methods are used to recover platinum and other metals from ceramic carriers. Among auto catalytic converters withdrawn from use, these with metallic carrier constitute quite a big group. This work presents a method of PGM metals recovery from auto catalytic converters in which they are washed out by a liquid metal (metal collector). Liquid metal is put in motion by means of magneto-hydro-dynamic pump, and then the PGM metals are eluted from channels of the used auto catalytic converters. Analysis of platinum content in the carrier before and after the process was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The obtained results were discussed.

Keywords: Recovery, PGM metals, platinum, spent auto catalysts.

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