The characterization of waste cathode-ray tube glass

New re-use applications are needed to address the relatively large quantity of waste electronic products generated in the world. Cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) from computer monitors and TV sets are a large component of such waste. The three glass components of CRTs are the funnel, panel and neck, which are produced by various manufacturers and are now collected by asset-recovery centres. In this paper, we characterize waste funnel and panel glass from dismantled cathode-ray tubes with a view to assisting the development of new re-use applications. The heavy metal (lead, barium, and strontium) content of such glass represents an acute risk to the environment. Our results of the chemical composition for different kinds of waste CRT glass including black & white and color CRTs show that CRT glass from different producers have generally similar chemical compositions. In particular, the compositions of funnel and panel black & white CRT glass are similar, but are different to those of panel and funnel color CRT glass. We also measured the following specific properties of each type of CRT glass: density, glass transition temperature, and linear coefficient of thermal expansion. It was found that the coefficients of thermal expansion of CRT glass do not vary with their composition. In contrast, the measured densities and glass transition temperatures do vary with composition. On the basis of our experimental data and data found in the literature, we outline the main properties of several waste CRT glass currently in circulation. The aim of this study was to provide the data required to determine if this kind of waste could be entirely (or partially) re-used and to aid the search for promising methods of treatment.     

从废阴极射线管含铅玻璃中回收金属铅的研究进展

随着显像管技术的发展,我国迎来了大量阴极射线管(CRT)玻璃的报废期。废弃的CRT玻璃中含有大量的铅,属于危险废物。从国内外废CRT含铅玻璃的处理处置现状出发,归纳总结了废CRT含铅玻璃中铅的分离回收技术工艺,并分析了其特点及存在的问题。指出,未来该领域新技术的研发应同时注重4个方面:铅的回收率高,对玻璃中的其他组分能够有效利用,满足经济可行性要求,便于工业化生产。     

Direction of CRT waste glass processing: electronics recycling industry communication

Cathode Ray Tube, CRT, waste glass recycling has plagued glass manufacturers, electronics recyclers and electronics waste policy makers for decades because the total supply of waste glass exceeds demand, and the formulations of CRT glass are ill suited for most reuse options. The solutions are to separate the undesirable components (e.g. lead oxide) in the waste and create demand for new products. Achieving this is no simple feat, however, as there are many obstacles: limited knowledge of waste glass composition; limited automation in the recycling process; transportation of recycled material; and a weak and underdeveloped market. Thus one of the main goals of this paper is to advise electronic glass recyclers on how to best manage a diverse supply of glass waste and successfully market to end users. Further, this paper offers future directions for academic and industry research. To develop the recommendations offered here, a combination of approaches were used: (1) a thorough study of historic trends in CRT glass chemistry; (2) bulk glass collection and analysis of cullet from a large-scale glass recycler; (3) conversations with industry members and a review of potential applications; and (4) evaluation of the economic viability of specific uses for recycled CRT glass. If academia and industry can solve these problems (for example by creating a database of composition organized by manufacturer and glass source) then the reuse of CRT glass can be increased.     

Cathode ray tube (CRT) recycling: current capabilities in China and research progress

It is estimated that approximately 6,000,000 scrap TVs and 10,000,000 personal computers are generated each year in China. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from these machines consist of 85% glass (65% panel, 30% funnel and 5% neck glass). The leaded glass (funnel-24%, neck-30%) may seriously pollute the environment if it is not properly disposed of. In this paper, the past, current and future status of CRT dismantling technologies as well as the CRT glass recycling situation in China are presented and discussed. Recycling technology for waste CRTs in China is still immature. While the conventional CRT dismantling technologies have disadvantages from both economic and environmental viewpoints, some of the new and emerging treatments such as automatic optical sorting facilities that have been applied in developed countries offer advantages, and therefore should be transferred to China in the next few years to solve the CRT pre-processing problem. Meanwhile, because the demand for CRT glass closed-loop recycling is extremely limited, the authorities should take effective measures to improve CRT glass recycling rates and to facilitate a match to local conditions. Moreover, we also provide a broad review of the research developments in recycling techniques for CRT cullet. The challenge for the future is to transfer these environmentally friendly and energy-saving technologies into practice.     

Recycling of cathode ray tube panel glasses as aggregates of concrete blocks and clay bricks

While the cathode ray tube (CRT) funnel containing lead could be transported to a smelting facility to recover lead, which could be an available option in domestic, a proper technology to recycle a CRT panel must be developed. Thus, it was suggested that CRT panel glass be used as aggregates of concrete blocks and clay bricks. Samples of blocks and bricks were fabricated with CRT powders and tested to measure their strength and absorption rate to determine their qualities, and environmental soundness was determined by measuring the leaching rate of hazardous metals. For concrete blocks, CRT panel glass powders incorporated as aggregates up to 40 % replacing stone powder was proposed as the proper condition for manufacturing blocks. Around 2 % of CRT panel incorporated into clay brick to substitute Kaoline was suggested to fabricate the best quality of clay brick. Results of leaching test met the criteria with much less concentration of hazardous metals, even lead compound containing in the CRT funnel. To conclude, the use of CRT panel powder after crushing it to the proper size as an aggregate of concrete blocks or clay bricks could be one of the appropriate alternatives to recycle for CRT glass waste being generated drastically in a short term.     

Chemical characterization and toxicity assessment for the sustainable management of end of life cathode ray tubes

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors represent currently one of the most produced category of electronic waste. In CRTs most of the glass components...     

Metallurgical use of glass fractions from waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE)

Within the European Union, it is estimated that between 8 and 9 million tonnes of waste electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) arises annually, of which television sets and computers account for an important part. Traditionally, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT) have been used for TVs and computer monitors, but are rapidly being replaced by flat-screen technology. Only part of the discarded CRT glass is being recycled. Primary smelters use large amounts of silica flux to form iron-silicate slag, and can, in most cases, tolerate lead input. Use of discarded CRT glass in copper smelting is a potential alternative for utilization of the glass.The mineralogical composition of a slag sampled during ordinary slag praxis has been compared with that of a mixture of slag and CRT glass when re-melted and slowly cooled. Slag (iron-silicate slag) from Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden, was used for the experiments. Slag and glass have been mixed in various proportions: pure slag, pure glass, 90% slag-10% glass and 65% slag-35% glass, and heated in an inert atmosphere up to 1400 °C in a Netzsch Thermal Analysis (TA) instrument. The re-melted material has been analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine changes in mineralogical composition after mixing with glass.The results show that the main mineralogical component of the slag is fayalite; the CRT glass is amorphous. The main crystalline phases of the slag do not change with addition of glass. An amorphous phase appears when the addition of glass is increased, which gives the sample a different structure.     

阴极射线管锥玻璃碱性浸出渣制备泡沫玻璃

以废弃的阴极射线管锥玻璃碱性浸出渣及屏玻璃混合粉末为原料烧制泡沫玻璃。考察了发泡温度、屏玻璃加入量、发泡剂种类、发泡剂加入量、稳泡剂添加量对所制备的泡沫玻璃密度及抗压强度的影响。实验结果表明：在发泡温度800 ℃、屏玻璃加入量50%（w）、稳泡剂硼酸加入量5%（以锥玻璃碱性浸出渣及屏玻璃粉末总质量为基准,下同）、发泡剂SiC加入量15%最佳条件下烧制的泡沫玻璃密度达417 kg/m³,抗压强度达1.09 MPa,可满足建筑用泡沫玻璃的Ⅳ型物理性能指标。本实验烧制的泡沫玻璃的Pb浸出量为1.27 mg/L,Ba浸出量为0.06 mg/L,均满足固体废物的浸出毒性标准。     

Cathode ray tube glass recycling: an example of clean technology.

In this study the use of 'cleaned' end of life (EOL) cathode ray tube (CRT) glass as a raw material in ceramic glazes is described. At present, the recycling and industrial utilization of CRT, a glass material from TV and computer sets, is a subject of intense research with particular regard to the so-called open-loop recycling, namely cycles different from that of the origin. However, the use of CRT glass as a secondary raw material is strictly related to the demand of high-quality raw material. The good preliminary results reached by introducing clean TV and PC monitor panel and cone glass into ceramic glaze formulations pushed research toward the setting-up of a base glaze that is exploitable for the production of pigmented, silk-screened and flame-hardened glazes (products used industrially for coating floor tiles). The aesthetic and chemical characterization of the tiles glazed by this product showed an extremely similar behaviour to originals that did not contain CRT glass. The good technical results achieved have been supported by the life cycle assessment analysis, which has demonstrated a reduction of the environmental impact of the CRT glass-containing ceramic glaze with respect to the standard one.     

Forecasting quantities of disused household CRT appliances--a regional case study approach and its application to Baden-Württemberg

Due to special requirements regarding logistics and recycling, disused cathode ray tube (CRT) appliances are handled in some countries as a separate waste fraction. This article presents a forecast of future household waste CRT quantities based on the past and present equipment of households with television sets and computer monitors. Additional aspects taken into consideration are the product life time distribution and the ongoing change in display technology. Although CRT technology is fading out, the findings of this forecast show that quantities of waste CRT appliances will not decrease before 2012 in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The results of this regional case study are not quantitatively transferable without further analysis. The method provided allows analysts to consider how the time shift between production and discard could impact recycling options, and the method could be valuable for future similar analyses elsewhere.     

Study on the mechanical and environmental properties of concrete containing cathode ray tube glass aggregate

Cathode ray tube (CRT) glass is considered a hazardous material due to its lead toxicity. In addition, current disposal practices are being phased out due to their adverse environmental impacts. In this project, CRT glass was used as a fine aggregate replacement in concrete. Life-cycle material characterization was conducted by evaluating the durability and strength of the CRT-Concrete. Leaching tests were also conducted to investigate whether the material meets drinking water limits for Pb. Test results show that the plastic state of the CRT-Concrete was affected by the angularity of the glass particles. Moreover, the compressive strength of CRT-Concrete met and exceeded that of the control specimen. However, CRT-Concrete was susceptible to expansive alkali-silica reactions when more than 10% CRT replacement was used. Environmental leaching results show that lead concentrations from CRT-Concrete are below the drinking water limits depending on the CRT volume replacement and if biopolymers are used.     

Quantification and probabilistic modeling of CRT obsolescence for the State of Delaware

The cessation of production and replacement of cathode ray tube (CRT) displays with flat screen displays have resulted in the proliferation of CRTs in the electronic waste (e-waste) recycle stream. However, due to the nature of the technology and presence of hazardous components such as lead, CRTs are the most challenging of electronic components to recycle. In the State of Delaware it is due to this challenge and the resulting expense combined with the large quantities of CRTs in the recycle stream that electronic recyclers now charge to accept Delaware’s e-waste. Therefore it is imperative that the Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA) understand future quantities of CRTs entering the waste stream. This study presents the results of an assessment of CRT obsolescence in the State of Delaware. A prediction model was created utilizing publicized sales data, a variety of lifespan data as well as historic Delaware CRT collection rates. Both a deterministic and a probabilistic approach using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) were performed to forecast rates of CRT obsolescence to be anticipated in the State of Delaware. Results indicate that the peak of CRT obsolescence in Delaware has already passed, although CRTs are anticipated to enter the waste stream likely until 2033.     

Environmental burdens in the management of end-of-life cathode ray tubes

We compared the environmental burdens in the management of end-of life cathode ray tubes (CRTs) within two frameworks according to the different technologies of the production of televisions/monitors. In the first case, CRT recycling is addressed to the recovery of the panel and funnel glass for the manufacturing of new CRT screens. In the second case, where flat screen technology has replaced that of CRT, the recycling is addressed to the recovery of the glass cullet and lead for other applications. The impacts were evaluated according to the problem-oriented methodology of the Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands. Our data confirm that in both cases, the recycling treatment allows benefits to be gained for the environment through the recovery of the secondary raw materials. These benefits are higher for the “CRT technology” framework (1 kg CO₂ saved per CRT) than for the “flat screen technology” (0.9 kg CO₂ saved, per CRT, as the highest possible), mainly due to the high energy consumption for lead separation from the funnel glass. Furthermore, the recovery of yttrium from the fluorescent powders that are a residue of the recycling treatment would further improve the CO₂ credit for both the frameworks considered, which would provide a further saving of about 0.75 kg CO₂ per CRT, net of the energy and raw materials needed for the recovery.Overall, this study confirms that, even with a change in the destination of the recovered materials, the recycling processes provide a benefit for the environment: indeed the higher loads for the environment are balanced by avoiding the primary production of the recovered materials.     

生活垃圾分类背景下对广州市废玻璃回收利用的思考

废玻璃是一种载能节能、低碳环保、可重复利用和再生利用的再生资源,广州市通过补贴政策、两网融合等手段,促进废玻璃回收利用,随着生活垃圾分类纵深推进,为了进一步提高废玻璃回收利用,从废玻璃回收利用现状入手,对比了北京、上海生活垃圾中废弃玻璃的占比情况,针对目前存在问题,提出废玻璃回收利用分析与建议.     

风电行业废玻璃钢资源化处置研究

我国风电行业每年产生大量热固性玻璃钢废弃物,这些废弃的热固性复合材料叶片、机舱罩等,在处置过程中广泛存在资源浪费和环境污染问题。对风电行业废玻璃钢的来源、产生量进行分析,概述废玻璃钢的生态毒性,阐述当前玻璃钢废弃物资源化处置技术及其优缺点,并提出风电行业废玻璃钢资源化处置技术的未来发展方向。     

Recycling of waste glass as a partial replacement for fine aggregate in concrete

Waste glass creates serious environmental problems, mainly due to the inconsistency of waste glass streams. With increasing environmental pressure to reduce solid waste and to recycle as much as possible, the concrete industry has adopted a number of methods to achieve this goal. The properties of concretes containing waste glass as fine aggregate were investigated in this study. The strength properties and ASR expansion were analyzed in terms of waste glass content. An overall quantity of 80 kg of crushed waste glass was used as a partial replacement for sand at 10%, 15%, and 20% with 900 kg of concrete mixes. The results proved 80% pozzolanic strength activity given by waste glass after 28 days. The flexural strength and compressive strength of specimens with 20% waste glass content were 10.99% and 4.23%, respectively, higher than those of the control specimen at 28 days. The mortar bar tests demonstrated that the finely crushed waste glass helped reduce expansion by 66% as compared with the control mix.     

Recycling of non-metallic fractions from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE): A review

The world’s waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) consumption has increased incredibly in recent decades, which have drawn much attention from the public. However, the major economic driving force for recycling of WEEE is the value of the metallic fractions (MFs). The non-metallic fractions (NMFs), which take up a large proportion of E-wastes, were treated by incineration or landfill in the past. NMFs from WEEE contain heavy metals, brominated flame retardant (BFRs) and other toxic and hazardous substances. Combustion as well as landfill may cause serious environmental problems. Therefore, research on resource reutilization and safe disposal of the NMFs from WEEE has a great significance from the viewpoint of environmental protection. Among the enormous variety of NMFs from WEEE, some of them are quite easy to recycle while others are difficult, such as plastics, glass and NMFs from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs). In this paper, we mainly focus on the intractable NMFs from WEEE. Methods and technologies of recycling the two types of NMFs from WEEE, plastics, glass are reviewed in this paper. For WEEE plastics, the pyrolysis technology has the lowest energy consumption and the pyrolysis oil could be obtained, but the containing of BFRs makes the pyrolysis recycling process problematic. Supercritical fluids (SCF) and gasification technology have a potentially smaller environmental impact than pyrolysis process, but the energy consumption is higher. With regard to WEEE glass, lead removing is requisite before the reutilization of the cathode ray tube (CRT) funnel glass, and the recycling of liquid crystal display (LCD) glass is economically viable for the containing of precious metals (indium and tin). However, the environmental assessment of the recycling process is essential and important before the industrialized production stage. For example, noise and dust should be evaluated during the glass cutting process. This study could contribute significantly to understanding the recycling methods of NMFs from WEEE and serve as guidance for the future technology research and development.     

Utilization of waste glass in ECO-cement: strength properties and microstructural observations

Waste glass creates a serious environmental problem, mainly because of the inconsistency of the waste glass streams. The use of waste glass as a finely ground mineral additive (FGMA) in cement is a promising direction for recycling. Based on the method of mechano-chemical activation, a new group of ECO-cements was developed. In ECO-cement, relatively large amounts (up to 70%) of portland cement clinker can be replaced with waste glass. This report examines the effect of waste glass on the microstructure and strength of ECO-cement based materials. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations were used to observe the changes in the cement hydrates and interface between the cement matrix and waste glass particles. According to the research results, the developed ECO-cement with 50% of waste glass possessed compressive strength properties at a level similar to normal portland cement.     

利用铅锌尾矿和CRT玻璃固体废弃物协同制备微晶玻璃工艺

以铅锌尾矿和CRT玻璃固体废弃物为主要原料,采用烧结法制备微晶玻璃材料.为确定基础玻璃的成分,以及尾矿、CRT玻璃及各化工原料的用料比例,设计了正交实验;研究了CaO,Al2O3,MgO等氧化物添加量对微晶玻璃结构及性能的影响规律.通过差热分析（DTA）、X射线衍射（XRD）、扫描电镜（SEM）等分析方法,考察了微晶玻璃产品的晶相、晶体形貌特征及性能.结果表明：利用铅锌尾矿、CRT玻璃废弃物制备微晶玻璃的最佳配方为：尾矿20％、CRT玻璃30％、添加辅料石英砂29.7％、方解石25％、Al2O3 12％、晶核剂TiO2 1％.SEM和XRD分析可知,微晶玻璃的主晶相为透辉石;打磨抛光处理后,平均显微硬度为8.76 GPa,平均抗折强度为223.1MPa;经酸、碱浸蚀后,质量变化分别为0.43％和0.58％,耐酸碱腐蚀性良好.     

Assessment of toxic metals in waste personal computers

Considering the enormous production of waste personal computers nowadays, it is obvious that the study of their composition is necessary in order to regulate their management and prevent any environmental contamination caused by their inappropriate disposal. This study aimed at determining the toxic metals content of motherboards (printed circuit boards), monitor glass and monitor plastic housing of two Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors, three Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors, one LCD touch screen monitor and six motherboards, all of which were discarded. In addition, concentrations of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were compared with the respective limits set by the RoHS 2002/95/EC Directive, that was recently renewed by the 2012/19/EU recast, in order to verify manufacturers’ compliance with the regulation. The research included disassembly, pulverization, digestion and chemical analyses of all the aforementioned devices. The toxic metals content of all samples was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results demonstrated that concentrations of Pb in motherboards and funnel glass of devices with release dates before 2006, that is when the RoHS Directive came into force, exceeded the permissible limit. In general, except from Pb, higher metal concentrations were detected in motherboards in comparison with plastic housing and glass samples. Finally, the results of this work were encouraging, since concentrations of metals referred in the RoHS Directive were found in lower levels than the legislative limits.