Industrial Precious Metal Recycling
Industrial Precious Metal Recycling
Red Fox Resources purchases spent diesel particulate filters (DPFs) and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOCs) from diesel engines used in mobile and stationary farm equipment. These engines may operate under the requirements of EPA’s Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (RICE-NESHAP) and/or local emission control requirements that require the use of a platinum group metals (PGM) based emission control catalyst for NOx and Particulate Matter (PM) reduction.
Diesel engines used for pumping and irrigation in California are subject to the requirements of the local air quality management districts (AQMD) or air pollution control district (APCD) and are required to have three-way catalysts for emission controls. Engines regulated by local air districts may be required to perform in use testing and/or emission monitoring. Emission monitoring often results in data suggesting there has been catalyst degradation and the catalyst needs to be replaced. Red Fox Resources purchases the spent catalyst systems that were replaced for PGM recycling.
Based on engine horsepower and application, diesel engines may be equipped with a variety of catalyst technologies and formulations to meet the emission standards required. Generally, the emission control catalysts utilized on diesel engines are ceramic honeycomb substrates opposed to the metallic foil substrate used in natural gas engines.
Frequently Asked Questions – Stationary Catalyst Recycling
Red Fox Resources purchases three-way catalysts (TWC’s) from natural gas-powered engines used to pump water from wells for agricultural irrigation. These engines may operate under the requirements of EPA’s Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (RICE-NESHAP) and/or local emission control requirements that require the use of a platinum group metals (PGM) based emission control catalyst for NOx and CO reduction.
Natural Gas engines used for pumping and irrigation in California are subject to the requirements of the local air quality management districts (AQMD) or air pollution control district (APCD) and are required to have three-way catalysts for emission controls. Engines regulated by local air districts may be required to perform in use testing and/or emission monitoring. Emission monitoring often results in data suggesting there has been catalyst degradation and the catalyst needs to be replaced. Red Fox Resources purchases the spent catalyst systems that were replaced for PGM recycling.
Based on engine horsepower, application, and fuel source, natural gas-powered engines may be equipped with a variety of catalyst technologies and formulations to meet the emission standards required. Generally, the emission control catalysts utilized in natural gas-powered engines are metal foils opposed to the honeycomb type substrate used in diesel and gasoline engines.
Manufactures of the engines used in the power units built for irrigation pumping include:
These engines may include emissions packages from the following emission control manufacturers that Red Fox actively purchases back for recycling.
The value for these spent parts from diesel or natural gas equipment ranges from $25 – $2,000 and Red Fox typically buys this material by the part number or by the pound based on application. For example, Red Fox would buy a catalyst from a rich burn natural gas catalyst used in irrigation for $6 – $20 dollars per pound.
BACKGROUND: MurCal is a premier integrator and distributor of emission control and engine monitoring systems, including industrial three-way catalysts. Based in Palmdale, CA, MurCal frequently works with California’s huge agricultural sector (irrigation pump engines), as well as California’s oil and gas industry (natural gas compression engines).
PROBLEM: As a by-product of its industrial catalyst business, MurCal found itself aggregating spent three-way catalysts at their Palmdale warehouse after having sold replacement catalysts to customers to ensure compliance with local air quality and emissions monitoring regulations.
After a few attempts to make catalyst cleaning or washing work within stringent local and state regulations, MurCal decided to abandon the catalyst washing process and found itself sitting on industrial three-way catalysts with several disposal options:
SOLUTION: MurCal approached Red Fox Resources in search of a dependable recycling partner to help solve their disposal problems. Red Fox presented a highly flexible solution of recycling with the intent to reclaim platinum, palladium, and rhodium contained in the substrate of the three-way catalysts.
After a site visit to confirm part numbers and weights, Red Fox set up an on-site pickup and was able to get MurCal paid faster than less worthwhile alternatives, including core return programs. The payment was completed within 15 business days, injecting quick cash into the equation.
VALUE: Red Fox provides PGM expertise and cash liquidity for spent industrial catalysts that are essentially “dead assets” for a company. Red Fox makes recycling purchase offers for industrial catalysts by the part number or by the pound depending on the application. This solution is ideal for large corporate growers, farm management companies, engine dealers, irrigation/pump dealers, and other similar businesses.
LEARN MORE: To get more information on Red Fox Resources toll processing programs, please contact Tripp Heller, VP – Business Development & Marketing, Tel: 415-793-3439, Email: tr**********@re*************.com
