Review of Silver Recovery Techniques from Radiographic Effluent and X-ray Film WasteSamson O. Masebinu and Edison Muzenda, Member, IAENG Abstract— This paper highlights the techniques for silver recovery from radiographic waste; effluent and X-ray films. The decline in silver natural resource has increased the cost of sourcing for pure silver. The ecological problems caused by the disposal of radiographic waste is a huge motivation for increased recovery, regeneration and recycling process. The negative impact of pure silver on human and the environment is low but its soluble salt and emission from its recovery process pose a great risk to the ecosystem. Pyro-metallurgical processes of silver recovery requires heat >950°C which also destroys the polymer substrate. Hydrometallurgical processes such as electrolysis, metallic replacement, chemical precipitation and adsorption, are often used and provides high purity and efficiency. A proposed research work for silver recovery based on chemical precipitation using oxalic acid has been presented.Keywords—Hydrometallurgy, Pyro-metallurgy, Radiographic waste, Silver recoveryI. INTRODUCTIONINCREASING demand for precious metals in industrial activities has increased intensive studies for their extraction from every form of waste and ores. Industries produces large amount of solid and liquid waste which are primarily of two components; organic and inorganic [1]. Organic wastes which are biodegradable can be reduced to less harmful substances before disposal into the environment. Inorganic waste consist of metallic and non-metallic components [1]. The metallic part consist of some precious metals such as silver, the recovery of which is of interest to this study, and other form of heavy metals. Silver (Ag), a precious metal, is generally obtained from natural sources also as a by-product of metallurgical and industrial processes and has been applied in different forms including electronic, pulp, jewellery and radiographic industries [2], [3]. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties in the medical field has been useful in managing burns, roles in antibiotics, surgical and wound dressing [2]. Silver is used in radiographic industries due to its high photosensitivity characteristics [4]. World silver production was reported to be insufficient to meet the demand which is steadily increasing by ~2-2.5% yearly [5]. Due to the decreasing amount of silver natural resources as well as the high cost of regenerating silver from waste, the cost of silver production has risen rapidly [4]. Syed, et al. [1] reported that mostManuscript received July 19, 2014; revised August 10, 2014. This work was supported by the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg.Samson O. Masebinu is with the department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, South Africa (201339837@student.uj.ac.za).Edison Muzenda is a Professor of Chemical Engineering. He is the head of Environmental and Process Systems Engineering Research Unit, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, P O Box 17011, 2028, South Africa (Email: emuzenda@uj.ac.za). methods for silver recovery are not cost effective thus creating economic and ecological problems. The ecological problems caused by the disposal of silver enriched effluent is driving factor for increased recovery, regeneration and recycling of this particular effluent and other industrial waste [1]. The ecological acceptance concentration is <5mg/l Ag [6].Radiographs, still and motion industry wastes are excellent sources for silver recovery. Approximately 2 billion radiographs per year are taken around the world which include chest X-rays, mammograms and CT scan [7]. 94-98% of the X-rays taken are in the medical fields producing photographic chemicals and scrap films as waste [7]. Radiographic films used in the medical field are polyester sheets coated on both sides by radioactive materials which are light sensitive [7]. Abdel-Aal and Farghaly [8] reported that 1kg of developed X-ray film contains 14-17g of silver. Most photographic chemicals for developing X-ray films are made from silver salt. Due to the high photosensitivity of silver halide, about 8.3% of silver is used in photography [5]. The effluent of X-ray films processing facilities can reach a silver content of 1-12g/l [5]. The method for silver recovery in broad terms are either hydrometallurgical or pyro-metallurgical processes [8]. The hydrometallurgical processes are through electrolysis, metallic replacement, chemical precipitation, adsorption and liquid membrane [2], [3], [5]-[7]. Biosorption is also a possible technique for silver recovery which is a physico-chemical & metabolic process based on absorption, adsorption, ion exchange and precipitation mechanisms [9]-[13]. Pyro-metallu
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