Recycling Power Cables with Microwaves
November 26, 2024 – Researchers from Sophia University in Tokyo and Italy’s Università di Pavia have developed a microwave-induced pyrolysis method to recycle power cables. This technique breaks down PVC insulation while preserving the copper, enabling the recovery of valuable materials without generating harmful byproducts.
According to the researchers, the method provides a simple and effective way to separate copper wires from PVC cables without the use or production of toxic chemicals. In this process, power cables are placed in a glass reactor and subjected to microwave radiation. The pyrolysis carbonizes the PVC insulation, allowing the copper wire to be easily recovered while preventing the release of hazardous byproducts.
Currently, only about 35 percent of PVC insulation is recycled. The researchers suggest that their new method could make electronic waste recycling cleaner, faster, and significantly more sustainable.
The research was recently published in RSC Advances under the title ‘Recycling of e-waste power cables using microwave-induced pyrolysis – process characteristics and facile recovery of copper metal.’
