II. R&D NEEDS AND POTENTIAL PROJECTS

5. Off-Site Recovery Processes for All Metals

Most of the recovery processes that are the subject of recent and current R&D are on-site, even in-process, recycling technologies. Perhaps with the advent of Federal emphasis on pollution prevention technologies, which by definition include only in-process recycling, off-site recycling and metals recovery have been largely ignored in recent years by the Federal sector and perhaps through Federal influence, other sectors as well. However, it is also possible that the method used to collect information on current research did not capture this type work and may need to be revisited.

Several Plan contributors recommended that the Plan consider the need for metals, acid, and cleaner recovery processes that are on-site or off-site, but not necessarily in-process (in-process meets the pollution prevention definition). Membrane systems, ion exchange, evaporation, and electrolytic systems were mentioned as needing demonstration for metals recovery. Demonstration of acid recovery from pickling solutions was pointed to as an especially important need.