SW SEPTEMBER 2021 WEB | Page 9

The consortium comprises 6 partners : S2S Electronics Ltd , EC Williams Ltd , Envaqua Research Ltd , Recolight Ltd , HSSMI Ltd , Institute of Materials Finishing .

ReGaIL Recovery of Gallium with Ionic Liquids

ReGaIL is an Innovate UK funded project that has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of recovering gallium and other metals from WEEE sourced LEDs using “ Green Chemistry ” by way of Deep Eutectic Solvents ( aka Ionic Liquids ). More excitingly , the developed technology is not limited to just gallium and could be applicable to a wide range of other metals . . .
Gallium is a Critical Raw Material and is mainly sourced from China ; it is found as a trace element in conjunction with a variety of minerals , the most common being ores such as sphalerite and bauxite . It also occurs in minerals such as diaspore , germanite and occasionally in coal . Gallium is used in many industries , but primarily in electronic circuits , semiconductors , and LEDs , where it is usually found in compound semiconductors such as .. gallium arsenide , or phosphide and nitride .
Gallium has many interesting properties , not least being its low melting point ( 29.8 º C ), so it can melt in the hand . It also readily forms stable intermetallic compounds with many other metals . These properties can create issues when recovering . the metal . using conventional techniques .
The technology being developed is not limited to gallium , so if your business has an interest in metal and materials recovery , the consortium may be able to help you .
The consortium comprises 6 partners : S2S Electronics Ltd , EC Williams Ltd , Envaqua Research Ltd , Recolight Ltd , HSSMI Ltd , Institute of Materials Finishing .
Further details can be obtained from any partner or the project website : www . gallium-recycling . co . uk .