Process for Separating Indium from Metal Alloys

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This invention relates to a process for separating indium from metal alloys, especially liquid metal alloys such as Galinstan (a gallium-indium-tin alloy), using acidic decomposition. The method involves a controlled multi-step acid and electrochemical treatment, which allows the selective extraction and high-purity recovery of indium and, optionally, other valuable metals like gallium and tin from alloys that may contain various metallic components.

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• Recycling of indium from waste or used alloys, especially from low-melting-point alloys used in thermometers, switches, and fire safety devices (e.g., Galinstan)
• Recovery of pure indium from end-of-life electronic components, displays, or sensors where indium-containing alloys are used
• Upcycling of scrap materials in the electronics and materials industries to extract and re-use indium
• Purification and separation processes for the specialty metals industry dealing with alloys containing indium, gallium, and tin
• Environmental protection by preventing disposal of indium-containing alloys in landfills and reducing their environmental impact

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• Enables efficient, high-yield recovery of valuable and scarce indium from mixed metal alloys, increasing resource sustainability
• Can process both solid and liquid alloys, including those with challenging wetting and dissolution properties
• Results in indium of high purity (>99.99%), suitable for reuse in high-tech applications
• Improves the economic and environmental viability of alloy recycling by reclaiming other valuable metals (e.g., gallium, tin) as byproducts
• Reduces environmental pollution and waste by diverting indium-containing materials from landfill disposal
• Provides a process adaptable to various alloy compositions, enhancing industrial flexibility

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Patent Abstract

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Abtrennung von Indium aus Metalllegierungen, insbesondere Flüssiglegierungen, durch sauren Aufschluss. Das Verfahren eignet sich sowohl zur Anwendung bei Metalllegierungen, enthaltend Indium und mindestens ein Metall mit einem tieferen Normalpotential als Indium, als auch zur Anwendung bei Metalllegierungen, welche zusätzlich mindestens ein Metall mit einem höheren Normalpotential als Indium enthalten.