International Journal of Academic Research in Education and Review

Vol. 12(2), pp. 73-78, May 2024

ISSN: 2360-7866

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijarer2024140

 

Full Length Research

 

 

The Recyclability Potentials of Beryllium and Cadmium Hazardous Chemical Compounds Found In Abundance in E-Waste Items within Sapele and Warri Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria

 

1Engineer Collins Oniyemose, 2Akpobire Oghenekome and 3 Uwhubetine Best

 

1 Department of Computer Engineering, Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara 2 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara. 3 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delta State Polytechnic Otefe, Oghara

 

Accepted 20 May 2024

Abstract

Abstract: This study explores the potential for recovering beryllium (Be) and cadmium (Cd), hazardous elements found in abundance within electronic waste (e-waste) collected from Sapele and Warri, Delta State, Nigeria. A total of 735 kg of e-waste was collected, with a focus on computers, laptops, televisions, mobile phones, and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The investigation revealed significant variations in Be and Cd concentrations across different e-waste components. CPU chips exhibited the highest average Be content (400 mg/kg), while television picture tubes contained the most Cd (2350 mg/kg), highlighting them as a priority for responsible e-waste management strategies. Hydrometallurgical leaching emerged as a promising technique for extracting both Be and Cd. This method achieved Be extraction efficiencies ranging from 82% to 88% for CPU chips and motherboards. For cadmium recovery, the efficiency reached 90% for television picture tubes and 85% for rechargeable batteries. Analysis of the recovered BeCl2 confirmed its high degree of purity based on its properties matching those of standard pure BeCl2. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of recovering valuable Be and Cd from e-waste in Nigeria. The study emphasizes the importance of e-waste characterization to optimize the recycling process by targeting components with higher Be and Cd content. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction processes, exploring applications for the recovered materials, and developing cost-effective methods for large-scale e-waste recycling in Nigeria. By implementing proper e-waste management practices, it is possible not only mitigate environmental pollution from hazardous materials but also recover valuable resources for future use.

 

Key Words: E-waste recycling, Beryllium (Be), Cadmium (Cd), urban mining, Hydrometallurgical leaching, Resource recovery, Delta State, Nigeria.

Paper type: research