Recovery of metals from metals, an example for the resource cycle

Bottom ash from municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) consists of elemental metals in considerable amounts. The fine fraction < 4 mm additionally contains chemically bound metals (oxides, carbonates, silicates). Separation prospects with techniques as in ore processing (flotation, density separation, bioleaching, hydrothermal solution) are discussed. During alteration after wet extraction mineral material with hydraulic properties form coatings on almost all particles of the bottom ash and complicate separation procedures. In addition bottom ash from MSWI is a heterogeneous material. For sufficient enrichment different concerted treatment steps seemed to be essential associated with an uncertainty of economic viability. The utilisation of metal compounds present in bottom ash as secondary raw material depends on the energy- and resource-efficiency of the enrichment processes. Therefore energy and material flow considerations are presented.