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What Waste Metal from Oil Refineries Is Worth Recycling?
Dec. 06, 2025
This article will explore the precious metal waste from oil refineries that is worth recycling, unlocking the value of this waste. Recyclable precious metal waste from oil refineries mainly comes from precious metal-containing substances accumulated in catalysts, reactor linings, pipelines, and specific equipment. The following are the main recycling targets:
1. Precious Metals in Catalysts
Catalysts used in oil refining often contain high-value precious metals, especially:
Platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), and rhodium (Rh): Commonly found in catalytic reforming (used to increase gasoline octane number) and hydrotreating (desulfurization, denitrification) catalysts.
Iridium (Ir) and Ruthenium (Ru): Used in certain special hydrogenation or isomerization reactions.
Waste catalyst form: After deactivation, precious metals remain in metallic or compound form attached to supports such as alumina and diatomaceous earth, and can be recovered through chemical leaching, pyrometallurgical processes, etc.
2. Waste Refractory Materials and Linings
Reformer reactor linings: May accumulate deposits containing platinum group metals.
Cracking units (e.g., FCC): Some parts may contain trace amounts of precious metals, but their economic value is relatively low.
3. Pipeline and Heat Exchanger Deposits
Scale or catalyst powder: Deposits removed during equipment maintenance may contain precious metal catalyst particles, especially residues caused by catalyst loss or process fluctuations.
4. Precious Metals in Wastewater and Waste Liquids
Scrubber waste liquid, acidic wastewater: May dissolve trace amounts of platinum group metals, but the concentration is usually low, requiring centralized treatment for economic recovery.
Electroplating or cleaning solutions: Plating or cleaning processes on the surfaces of a few pieces of equipment may introduce precious metals.
5. Other Special Waste
Discarded precious metal detection probes (e.g., high-temperature sensors).
Discarded valves and pump parts: May contain corrosion-resistant platinum group metal alloys.
Key Factors for Recycling Value
Economic Efficiency: The higher the concentration of precious metals (e.g., platinum content in reforming catalysts can reach 0.3%~0.6%), the greater the recycling value.
Market Factors: Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are expensive (especially palladium, whose price has fluctuated significantly in recent years), resulting in substantial recycling profits.
Environmental Regulations: Waste catalysts are often classified as hazardous waste and require compliant disposal; recycling offers both environmental and economic benefits.
Suggested Operating Procedures
Waste Classification and Testing: Determine the types and contents of precious metals through XRF spectroscopy or chemical analysis.
Professional Recycling Cooperation: Partner with qualified precious metal refineries (such as multinational corporations like BASF and Johnson Matthey, or domestic professional recycling companies) to extract precious metals using processes such as incineration, dissolution, and electrolysis.
Compliant Disposal: Ensure compliance with regulations such as the "Administrative Measures for Hazardous Waste Management Licenses" to avoid environmental risks.
Recycling precious metal waste from oil refineries is a high-value link in resource recycling. Especially for large-scale petrochemical enterprises, establishing a systematic waste catalyst recycling process can significantly reduce production costs and environmental footprint.
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