Thermal degradation kinetics of waste printed circuit boards

A large quantity of electronic waste, (e-waste) is generated due to a short lifespan of communication and other devices and introduction of the newly smart gadgets making limited use and generating e-waste at an alarming rate. To resolve this emerging e-waste problem, one has to thermally depolymerise in an inert atmosphere. The thermal degradation of printed circuit boards PCBs was investigated using a simultaneous thermogravimetric analyzer in the temperature range of 350-1200 K. Pyrolysis experiments were carried out on PCB samples at six different heating rates of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 K/min. A unique model was developed in this study, it showed that the apparent activation energy for the upper range (Ea1, 130-97 kJ/mol) was always higher than the apparent activation energy (Ea2, 97-75 kJ/mol) of the lower range. The results of this study will be useful in the development of pyrolytic/incineration systems for plastic waste from any electronic component. The products from the pyrolysis of PCBs can be utilized as feedstocks in the petrochemical industry, as potential fuels-either gaseous or liquids and as non-combustible materials for filler in the cement and brick industries.