Method of separating and processing catalyst carriers

1. A method of separating and processing a catalyst carrier that is contained in a processing object that includes a catalyst carrier metal cover to which an exhaust gas pipe is still connected, and magnetic carrier foil or a ceramic carrier, a surface-enlarging coating film provided on the magnetic carrier foil or the ceramic carrier, and the catalyst carrier containing precious metal,

the method comprising the steps of:

crushing the catalyst carrier and the metal cover to which the exhaust gas pipe is still connected, using a first crusher of a shearing type;

breaking the catalyst carrier containing precious metal from the metal cover, using an impact-type pulverizer; and

separating the catalyst carrier containing precious metal from the exhaust gas pipe and the metal cover, using a separator.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

pulverizing a metallic catalyst carrier containing precious metal, using a second crusher, the pulverizing being carried out after the separating step using the separator; and

dividing fragments and particulate matters containing the precious metal into a precious metal concentrate and catalyst carrier pieces not containing a great amount of the precious metal.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the separator is a pneumatic separator.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the separator is a sieving separator.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:

dividing the catalyst carrier containing precious metal that have been separated by the separator into magnetic matters and nonmagnetic matters, using a magnetic separator; and

pulverizing the magnetic matters, using a second crusher.