Consumer electronic waste recycling using pulsed power generated shockwaves

Recycling of consumer electronics such as laptops, cell phones, remote controls, etc. continues to be a global issue. Current recycling methods employ wasteful techniques such as incineration and typically only recover the precious metals used within the waste products. HEM Technologies conducted a feasibility study of using high current pulsed power to generate a Shockwave to break apart e-waste into separable components. The materials were immersed in liquid nitrogen and subjected to Shockwaves generated by a fusing wire array. Analysis is made of the debris generated and the estimated Shockwave pressure.