Process for the Recovery of Ruthenium from a Ruthenium-Containing Material

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The patent describes a method for efficiently recovering ruthenium from ruthenium-containing materials by oxidizing the ruthenium to ruthenium tetroxide and then capturing it in an aqueous solution with specific acids (sulfonic acids or carboxylic acids with multiple carboxy groups). This process operates at relatively low temperatures (below 100°C) and avoids the need for complex and energy-intensive high-temperature steps present in the prior art. The resulting process achieves high recovery rates and is particularly suitable for both solid and liquid ruthenium sources.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Recycling spent electrocatalysts from fuel cells and electrolysers.
• Recovery of ruthenium from autocatalysts and electronic waste.
• Processing anode sludge from electrolysis in copper, lead, or tin refining industries.
• Production of halogen-free ruthenium compounds for industrial or laboratory use.
• Separation and recovery of ruthenium from mixtures also containing platinum or iridium.
• Recycling of ruthenium from electrodes, circuit boards, and other electronic components.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Enables effective ruthenium recovery at low temperatures, reducing energy consumption and operational cost.
• Simplifies the extraction process, minimizing the number of steps compared to conventional methods.
• Achieves high recovery rates with low losses, even considering the volatility of ruthenium tetroxide.
• Can process both solid and liquid ruthenium-containing waste, offering flexible application.
• Applicable for critical industrial recycling streams, supporting circular economy in precious metals.
• Avoids use of highly corrosive chemicals and high temperatures, enhancing safety and scalability.

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Patent Abstract

The invention relates to a method for recovering ruthenium from a ruthenium-containing material, with the steps of: a) adding an oxidizing agent to a ruthenium-containing material, b) oxidizing the ruthenium to ruthenium tetroxide, and c) introducing the ruthenium tetroxide formed into an aqueous capture solution, characterized in that the aqueous capture solution comprises an acid selected from sulfonic acids and carboxylic acids having at least two carboxyl groups. It additionally describes the use of such an acid in the method and the use of the method in various sectors.