Natrawee Khetwunchai

Mr. Natrawee Khetwunchai


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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24 February 2023 in Minerals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
NKNatrawee Khetwunchai
Natrawee Khetwunchai
SASaengchai Akeprathumchai
Saengchai Akeprathumchai
PTPaitip Thiravetyan
Paitip Thiravetyan
This study aimed to recover copper and gold from a waste printed circuit board (WPCB) using monosodium glutamate (MSG) supplemented with a clean oxidizer(s) under 30 °C, 150 rpm, and an initial pH of 7.00. The solder mask of WPCBs needed to be removed before leaching. At the first leaching, 93% of copper was selectively leached from solder–mask–free WPCBs within 3 h using 0.75 M MSG with 0.50% (w/v) H2O2. Then, gold (86%) was extracted from the first residue for 3 h by 1 M MSG with 0.25% (w/v) H2O2. In the downstream process, 98–100% copper could be directly recovered within 5–6 h from the first leachate by electrowinning (EW). However, gold in the second leachate required separation and purification processes before EW. At 4 h, 98% gold was adsorbed onto the activated carbon. Most impurities were removed from gold-loaded activated carbon by pre-elution using 0.05 M EDTA for 0.5 h without gold release. Afterward, 99% gold was eluted by diluted aqua-regia within an hour. Finally, the gold could be harvested perfectly using EW for 2 h. This complete copper and gold recycling process delivers an innovative concept for hydrometallurgical study and has the potential to develop into a practical industry.