METHOD FOR PRODUCING SILVER FROM PHOTOMATERIALS

This method is used in metal recycling. It ensures increased silver extraction rates and reduces silver losses in the melting process. The waste photographic material is treated with a 140-180 g/l water solution of sodium carbonate. The treated waste, which contains between 0.1 and 1.5 percent Na2CO3, is incinerated at a temperature between 500 and 600 degrees C and the resulting ash undergoes thermal treatment in a reducing atmosphere at a temperature between 800 and 900 degrees C for 30-60 minutes. The resulting product is crushed until the particle size of less than 1.5-2.0 mm is attained, followed by separating the heavier from the lighter fraction in a water flow at a rate of 0.01-0.05 m/s. The heavier fraction is melted at a temperature of 1100 degrees C, while the lighter is sent to the copper / lead processing plant for recycling by a conventional method.