How Dingfeng Precious Metals Recycles Spark Plugs – A Look Inside Our Process

Recycling a spark plug is like unlocking a vault of rare metals—but it takes precision, innovation, and scale to do it sustainably. At Dingfeng Precious Metals, we’ve engineered a closed-loop system that transforms discarded spark plugs into high-purity platinum, iridium, and palladium, ready for reuse in cutting-edge industries. Here’s a step-by-step journey through our state-of-the-art recycling process, where science meets sustainability.

In-Depth Processing Steps

1. Crushing: Breaking Down to Build Up

• Mechanical Reduction: Spark plugs are fed into industrial shredders, crushing them into fragments as small as 2–5 mm. This exposes the ceramic insulators and metal electrodes hidden inside.

• Magnetic Separation: Powerful magnets extract steel shells and nickel alloys, while eddy-current separators isolate non-ferrous materials.

• Goal: Concentrate the precious metal-rich electrode tips, which account for <1% of a plug’s total weight.

Real-World Impact: Crushing 10,000 spark plugs yields a palm-sized pile of PGM-rich material—the key to reclaiming 7–10 grams of iridium.

2. Roasting: Heat to Unlock Hidden Value

• Thermal Treatment: Fragments are heated in induction furnaces to 800–1,200°C, vaporizing organic binders and weakening ceramic-metal bonds.

• Ceramic Removal: Aluminum oxide insulators become brittle and are mechanically separated.

• Efficiency: This step reduces material volume by 70%, focusing only on metal-rich components.

Why It Matters: Roasting cuts downstream chemical use by 40%, minimizing environmental footprint.

3. Leaching and Extraction: Chemistry at Work

• Proprietary Leaching: A mix of aqua regia (nitric + hydrochloric acid) dissolves PGMs from the roasted material. Dingfeng’s closed-loop system recovers and recycles 90% of acids, reducing waste.

• Electrolytic Extraction: An electric current precipitates pure PGMs from the solution.

• Yield: >95% recovery rate for platinum and iridium, far outperforming traditional smelting (60–70%).

Innovation Spotlight: Our hydrometallurgical process operates at half the cost of conventional mining, with 80% lower CO₂ emissions.

4. Refining: The Pursuit of Perfection

• Vacuum Distillation: PGMs are heated in a vacuum chamber, separating impurities like iron or copper.

• Zone Refining: Metals pass through a high-temperature zone, achieving 99.99% purity—the gold standard for aerospace and medical applications.

• Quality Control: Every batch is tested using ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy), ensuring compliance with global standards.

Outcome: Refined iridium sells for $150\text{–}200\mathrm{/}gram\ast \ast ,whileplatinumcommands\ast \ast$30–40/gram on commodity markets.

Technology Behind the Transformation

Dingfeng’s edge lies in its fusion of cutting-edge tech and sustainability:

• Induction Furnaces: Energy-efficient heating with zero direct emissions.

• Vacuum Distillation: Eliminates toxic byproducts like chlorine gas.

• In-House Lab: Tests 500+ samples daily for trace element analysis.

Real-World Impact: From Waste to Wonder

• CO₂ Savings: Recycling 1 ton of spark plugs prevents 4 tons of CO₂ vs. mining.

• Resource Efficiency: Recovering 10 kg of PGMs annually saves 150,000 tons of ore from being mined.

• Global Reach: Our metals power SpaceX rocket engines, Siemens medical devices, and Apple’s microchips.

Conclusion: Redefining Recycling’s Potential

Dingfeng’s process isn’t just about recycling—it’s about reimagining waste as a resource. By marrying advanced technology with circular economy principles, we turn yesterday’s spark plugs into tomorrow’s innovations. For businesses and consumers alike, partnering with Dingfeng means investing in a future where sustainability and profitability spark together.

Join us in closing the loop. One spark plug at a time.