Study On The Technical Management Of Waste Electrical And Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Recycling

The recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is an emerging and thorny issue in China due to its rapid social and economic changes in recent years. Research on China's WEEE recycling management is extraordinarily urgent for practice, and quite invaluable for theoretical studies. In this thesis, technical management of WEEE recycling in China is systematically studied, and the main contributions are summarized as follows:1) In consideration of China's current situation and experiences from developed countries, four essential principles are proposed in the technical route selection for China's WEEE recycling industry. A conceptual model is established on WEEE recycling process. Furthermore, Petri net and workflow theory are introduced and a Petri net model for WEEE recycling process is established. In this model, relationships between checking, disassembling, shredding, separating, toxic & hazardous substances disposal, and remanufacturing process are described in detail. Additionally, quantitative analysis and optimization of this model are performed.2) A synthetic assessment and selection method for WEEE recycling techniques in China is proposed, which emphases on resource conservation and environmental friendliness of WEEE in the evaluating procedure. Also, panel-funnel separating techniques of end-of-life color CRT glass are assessed and sequenced as a case study.3) The classification and technical features of WEEE recycling equipments are demonstrated. Procedures, criteria selection, and assessment methods for the selection of WEEE recycling equipments are discussed as well. Panel-funnel hot-wire separating equipments of end-of-life color CRT glass are assessed and sequenced as a case study.4) This research suggests that European-characteristic WEEE recycling system is not suitable for China at the moment. It is evident from the research findings that China should not directly adopt European-characteristic equipments for the time being, but rather should apply simplified machines to recycle WEEE, together with effective and efficient manual tools, as long as they are environmental friendly and safe to operate.5) This thesis also discusses the framework of China's WEEE recycling technical policy and its evaluation index and application methods. Through setting up a conceptual model of WEEE recycling industry system, possible difficulties in the implementation of technical policy are analyzed. Solutions to such problems in China's WEEE recycling progress are proposed.