1 / 21

Analysis of Bromine Content in WEEE using XRF: A Pilot Study in Auckland, New Zealand

This pilot study, conducted in Auckland, New Zealand for the Ministry for the Environment, investigates brominated flame retardant (BFR) levels in Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis, we found significant concentrations of bromine, particularly in printed circuit boards, fans, and laser printer toner cartridges. Key findings indicate that many items exceeding EU RoHS limits contain harmful levels of BFRs, highlighting urgent needs for environmentally sound management of WEEE in New Zealand.

lora
Télécharger la présentation

Analysis of Bromine Content in WEEE using XRF: A Pilot Study in Auckland, New Zealand

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Pilot Study Bromine containing Polymers at SIMS Recycling Auckland, New ZealandA study carried out for the Ministry for the EnvironmentDrs. Ben KeetGeo & Hydro – K8 Ltde-mail: ben@benkeet.com

  2. Br concentration range Sample type max concentrations found Average PCB concentration low concentrations found WEEE/RoH EU limit of Br high calibration (Br) low calibration (Br) Limit Of Detection of XRF % Bromine Note: Log Scale

  3. X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis - theory

  4. X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis - theory

  5. X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis - theory

  6. Calibrate the XRF instrument using polymer standards

  7. X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis - Practice

  8. X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis - Practice

  9. Br in WEEE study Break down into components 

  10. Next: Demonstration: XRF analysis Followed by: Site Tour Think: Safety Watch out for: Forklift trucks

  11. Key findings Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) usually contain high levels of BFR (bromine over 100,000 mg/kg)

  12. Key findings (continued) • Generally fans all contain BFR’s • (bromine over 50,000 mg/kg)

  13. Key findings (continued) • 50% of the laser printer toner cartridges have bromine over 50,000 mg/kg (75,000 – 180,000 mg/kg)

  14. Key findings (continued) • Some items look alike but have very different BFR concentrations

  15. Key findings (continued) • Often the plastic panels on one instrument seem to contain BFR’s at random. • Example: Ricoh photocopier • 50% of panels Br 10 – 20 % • 50% of panels Br < 0.035 %

  16. Key findings (continued) • 50% of panels Br 10 – 20 %  • 50% of panels Br < 0.035 %  ↓

  17. Key findings (continued) Articles with a RoHS sticker still contain BFR components example item 3 IBM desktop computer made in China 2006, contains 2 fans both with over 80,000 mg/kg bromine concentration (8 %)

  18. Key findings (continued) • Many small items which would not normally get hot • Still have high Br levels • Example telecom phone wire splitters • Bromine up to 180,000 mg/kg (18 %)

  19. Key findings (continued) • Finally – to confuse you all • Not all articles close to heat sources contain BFR’s, • Example: hair dryer (item 33) • Br < 10 mg/kg (< 0.001 %

  20. Conclusions • Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) were found at significant levels in New Zealand’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)  •  The BFRs ranged up to levels (>10%) far in excess of that permitted under the EU RoH (0.1%) in components of the majority of articles investigated •  Follow up analytical determinations would be needed to confirm BDEs as a principal component of the BFRs detected •  In order to meet the expectations of the COP-5 recommendation of Stockholm Convention on BDEs, these findings indicate that New Zealand may need to consider feasible options for the environmentally sound management of WEEE •  The handheld XRF analyser is a simple and effective instrument to identify Bromine in WEEE

  21. Thank you for your attention Questions - Discussion

More Related