13.11.2014 Views

SUbstance flow analysis of the recycling of small waste electrical ...

SUbstance flow analysis of the recycling of small waste electrical ...

SUbstance flow analysis of the recycling of small waste electrical ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

86 Substance <strong>flow</strong> <strong>analysis</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>recycling</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>small</strong> WEEE<br />

5. Quantification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> gold and palladium<br />

The data on <strong>the</strong> <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> sWEEE and on <strong>the</strong> gold and palladium concentrations are compiled<br />

with <strong>the</strong> STAN s<strong>of</strong>tware for <strong>the</strong> six different equipment groups. Data are reconciled as<br />

described in chapter 3.4. This led in some cases to significant corrections probably due to<br />

<strong>the</strong> high uncertainties related to <strong>the</strong> estimation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sWEEE generation (see chapter<br />

4.1.1.2). The <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> collected, non-separately collected, reused and treated sWEEE are<br />

quantified (Appendix 7) and, based on it, <strong>the</strong> <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> precious metals associated with <strong>the</strong><br />

sWEEE that were recovered, reused and discarded are calculated. Appendix 8 presents <strong>the</strong><br />

gold <strong>flow</strong>s and Appendix 9 presents <strong>the</strong> <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> palladium. The uncertainties <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> results<br />

are expressed as standard deviation. In spite <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high uncertainties, <strong>the</strong> results give <strong>the</strong><br />

order <strong>of</strong> magnitude <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mass <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> precious metals related to sWEEE.<br />

5.1. Mobile phones<br />

After data reconciliation as described by chapter 3.3.3, <strong>the</strong> quantity <strong>of</strong> end-<strong>of</strong>-life mobile<br />

phones generated in Germany in 2007 is assumed to amount to 1300 tonnes (standard<br />

deviation <strong>of</strong> 189 tonnes) and to contain around 450 kg <strong>of</strong> gold and 200 kg <strong>of</strong> palladium<br />

(Figure 14). Around 18% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mobile phones are collected and around 12% end up in a<br />

process for formal treatment. Almost 5% <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> mobile phones are reused. Finally, between<br />

26 and 40 kg <strong>of</strong> gold were recovered (with a confidence interval <strong>of</strong> 95%) and between 11 and<br />

17 kg <strong>of</strong> palladium. Between 260 and 530 kg <strong>of</strong> gold were discarded, which had in 2007 an<br />

economic value between 5.7 and 11.5 million US-dollars according to <strong>the</strong> average gold price<br />

in 2007 published by USGS (2008). The losses <strong>of</strong> palladium amounted to between 120 and<br />

230 kg, which had in 2007 a value <strong>of</strong> 1.3 to 2.7 million US-dollars. Figure 14 illustrates <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> precious metals associated with <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> end-<strong>of</strong>-life mobile phones in<br />

Germany in 2007 (without showing <strong>the</strong> uncertainties). The data on <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> mobile phones<br />

with <strong>the</strong> standard deviations are presented in table form in Appendix 6. Appendix 7 and<br />

Appendix 8 summarize <strong>the</strong> data on <strong>flow</strong>s <strong>of</strong> precious metals and <strong>the</strong>ir uncertainties<br />

expressed as standard deviation.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!