Germanium waste recycling and environmental protection utilization methods

With the continuous development of technology and the increasing demand for electronic products, the application of semiconductor materials is becoming increasingly widespread. Among them, germanium (Ge), as a semiconductor material with unique properties, has excellent optoelectronic and transmission properties, and has been widely used in fields such as fiber optic communication, solar cells, infrared detectors, and so on. However, the generation and treatment of germanium waste has become an urgent environmental issue that needs to be addressed. This article will introduce the sources, recycling methods, and environmental protection measures during the recycling process of germanium waste.

1、 Source of germanium waste

1. Waste residue, wastewater, and exhaust gas generated during the extraction process of germanium ore. 2. Waste generated in semiconductor manufacturing processes, such as wastewater, slag, and exhaust gas generated during cutting, polishing, and cleaning processes. 3. Germanium components in waste electronic products, such as fiber optic communication equipment, solar panels, infrared detectors, etc.

2、 Germanium waste recycling method

1. Physical method: Through screening, magnetic separation, gravity separation and other methods, preliminary separation is carried out on germanium waste to extract materials with high germanium content. 2. Chemical method: By utilizing the solubility differences of germanium in different acidic environments, it is separated from other impurities to obtain a high-purity germanium solution. Then, high-purity germanium powder or sheet is prepared through processes such as reduction, precipitation, and washing. 3. Hydrometallurgy: Mix germanium containing waste with oxidants, heat for oxidation, and then reduce with reducing agents to obtain high-purity germanium products. 4. Biological method: Utilize the adsorption, enrichment, and dissolution functions of microorganisms to recover germanium from germanium containing wastewater.

3、 Environmental protection measures

1. Strictly control wastewater discharge, conduct deep treatment of wastewater, and reduce its impact on the water environment. A combination of physical, chemical, and biological methods can be used to effectively remove germanium, heavy metals, and organic pollutants from wastewater. 2. Waste gas treatment: Effectively collect and treat the generated waste gas, using methods such as adsorption, absorption, catalytic combustion, etc. to reduce the emission of harmful substances in the waste gas and meet national emission standards. 3. Waste residue treatment: Harmlessly treat the waste residue to reduce pollution to soil and groundwater. Landfill, stabilization, and solidification methods can be used to reduce the impact of waste on the environment. 4. Green process: In the process of germanium waste recycling, green and environmentally friendly processes and technologies should be adopted as much as possible to reduce energy consumption and pollutant emissions throughout the entire process. 5. Recycling: Reuse the recovered germanium resources for production, achieving resource recycling and reducing environmental pressure.

With the increasing emphasis on environmental issues and the improvement of policies, the recycling of germanium waste has become a trend. Adopting reasonable recycling methods and environmental protection measures can reduce environmental pollution, improve the utilization rate of germanium resources, and reduce production costs. This is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of the germanium industry. In addition, the recycling of germanium waste also provides a reference for the recycling of other rare metal waste, which helps the entire society achieve the goals of green development, circular economy, and sustainable development.

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