FAO Prof - Recovering Metals from Catalytic Converters

[TonyV]

Unfortunately the OP has been removed from AB along with her posts and subsequent answers - but to continue the chat I think you said something like " Why are not scrap yards recovering the Pt". If you ask most people whats in a cat they will say Platinum.
That's why most adverts are for Pt.
Because of the high value of the metals used within them, maybe still the highest value (£) to weight ratio component in a new vehicle. A 3 way cat converter containing Platinum, Palladium and Rhodium, it is worth recovering the Pt, Pd and Rh, hence scrapyards will remove them and sell them them on.
You can remove all the metals within a facility set up to do it commercially - just a matter of scale - a bit like gold mining.
Your thoughts about ebay maybe true but why will this scapyard buy them?
http://www.ukmetalrecyclingltd.co.uk/
Await your thoughts

[theprof]

Hi TonyV. In spite of what I said on the deleted post, it occurred to me at the time that someone, somewhere in the UK must be recovering the precious metals.

You've only got to consider the fact that there's a limited quantity of these metals globally so it would be foolish to put them into landfill etc.

Clearly, the ebay seller was unaware of the value of what he or she was selling.

I spoke this afternoon to a metallurgical scientist at my university and she told me that the facilities required to separate the metals in a catalytic converter are very sophisticated and expensive to run. There are very few of the facilities in the UK and I'm advised that the scrapyards must be selling them on. However, it does seem that the separation facilities profit on a vast scale as the scrapyards are given only a nominal fee for the scrap.

[TonyV]

Prof
As I said it's a bit like gold mining - lots of ore and then a few nuggets.
There may be very few of the facilties worldwide that can extract these metals.
Glad you talked to a metallurgist.
Will accept you appologies graciously - that I was not talking nonsense.

[theprof]

Hmm, to be honest I don't remember saying you were talking nonsense.

Lauren would be horrified if you called her a metallurgist - a metallurgical scientist is not the same.

[venator]

engelhard metals are big in this type of business

[theprof]

It's not surprising venator bearing in mind that they developed the first catalytic converter. They have an incentive.

[venator]

too true, bluey, but they do deal in recovered metals

[TonyV]

Prof - Is Lauren a lowly Metallurgist or a Materials scientist - I do know the difference lol
You did say you "would'nt be holding your breath" if I gave you an answer other than an ebay seller - lol - not to worry - we live and learn

[venator]

wha ?

[theprof]

TonyV, Lauren is a metallurgical scientist, not a materials scientist nor a metallurgist.

venator, thanks for that.

[theprof]

Never mind TonyV, the thread has been deleted so your recollection of the content is just as valid as mine. I'm glad that you concede that we live and learn - we do indeed.

[theprof]

venator, sorry I didn't realise.

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1004064.html

[TonyV]

Prof
Just glad you asked a Metallurgical Scienctist for her thoughts - don't know what the legislation is at the the moment for recycling "end of use cars".

[theprof]

At the end of the day, Lauren just added credence to my own own views and detailed recovery procedures that are not common knowledge to those outside the industry. I'm grateful that you acknowledge the benefit of my accessibility to a metallurgical scientist in answering this thread.

I have no idea what the legislation is at the the moment for recycling "end of use cars".