Chemical bleaching for improved performance of recycled lamp phosphors

摘要

A method is provided for removing organic impurities in the recycling of phosphors from fluorescent lamps. Particles created from the lamps are washed with a bleaching agent to decompose the organic materials. The organic materials are thereby solubilized and can be removed. The phosphors can then be recovered and reused to manufacture fluorescent lamps.

主权项

1. A method for phosphor recycling, comprising:
preparing a mixture comprising water, particles created from phosphor coated tubes of fluorescent lamps wherein the particles comprise at least YEO and BAM, and a bleaching agent; reacting the bleaching agent with organic materials present in the mixture; and separating phosphors comprising at least YEO and BAM from the mixture.