Overview of the recycling technology for copper-containing cables

• Published in: Resources, conservation and recycling conservation and recycling, 2017-11, Vol.126, p.132-140
• Main Authors: Li, Liquan, Liu, Gongqi, Pan, Dean, Wang, Wei, Wu, Yufeng, Zuo, Tieyong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Reclaimed copper; Recycling; Technology; Waste cables
• ISSN: 0921-3449; 1879-0658
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.07.024

•The purpose is to review the current status of recycling copper-containing cables.•The present situation of recycling copper-containing cables has been presented, and typical recycling technologies for copper cables have been analyzed.•Summary of each recycling treatment technology for waste cable has been listed.•Suggestions for resolving the problems of existing waste cable recycling technologies have been provided. With the rapid development of the power industry and the constant update of electric and electronic products, the quantity of waste wires also increases. Because the copper contained in the waste cables is of high purity and its recycling energy consumption is low, waste cables have become an important source of raw materials for the reclaimed copper industry. Therefore, the recycling of waste cables has become an important component of the development of “urban minerals.” In view of the above, the present status of the copper-containing cables has been reviewed.In this paper,the various methodologies of different types of waste cables are compared and analyzed,firstly.And then, the advantages and disadvantages of recycling technology of waste cables are analyzed. Finally, we point out the limtation of existing waste cable recycling technologies and also provide suggestions for resolving the problems of copper-containing cables in the hope of achieving the harmless recycling and efficient utilization of waste cables.