Chemistry: Seperating gold platinum silver and copper?
Discussion
I have recently discovered at my parent house, a large glass bottle filled with gold, silver, platinum and copper powder. Bottle has a large cork in the top with a candle wax type seal.
Dad was given this by his father who used to work for a metal dealer in Belgium. Dad seems to think that this must be some sort of waste product from one thing or another...
As there are several kilos of this metal powder I thought it would be worth separating them. Could anyone advise me of the process involved to achieve this.
Thank you
M
Dad was given this by his father who used to work for a metal dealer in Belgium. Dad seems to think that this must be some sort of waste product from one thing or another...
As there are several kilos of this metal powder I thought it would be worth separating them. Could anyone advise me of the process involved to achieve this.
Thank you
M
Appreciate the replies everyone. I spoke with a specialist metal dealer (advised by BASF) who has some sort of laser apparatus which can zap this material to find out what it consists of. This technique will confirm the elements within it, but not the ratio.
If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
TheEnd said:
I too thought of aqua regia and of extracting each metal in turn, but the chemistry would be way beyond the hope enthusiast I think.menno said:
If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
You'll have to ensure that the four metals are equally distributed within the powder or you'll get a false reading. That will depend on mass and particle size.It's a nice A-level question!
You need to talk to a jewelers precious metal recovery specialist. They do this all the time at all scales. Try Landale http://www.landalemetals.co.uk/ - they will be able to advise you. If you are right about the contents and the quantity, there is potentially a significant value to it.
Edited by Tanguero on Friday 21st February 14:03
nitric acid will dissolve the silver and the copper, leaving the platinum and the gold
aqua regia will then dissolve the platinum and the gold.
the gold can be precipitated using iron(II) chloride
the platinum can be obtained as an ammonium chloroplatinate salt by adding ammonium chloride.
you'd be nuts to do it yourself, you will probably just make your materials less pure.
aqua regia will then dissolve the platinum and the gold.
the gold can be precipitated using iron(II) chloride
the platinum can be obtained as an ammonium chloroplatinate salt by adding ammonium chloride.
you'd be nuts to do it yourself, you will probably just make your materials less pure.
most metals will form an amalgam with mercury.
using mercury.gold amalgam and then heating to drive off the mercury is a very good way to apply gold leaf. also a good way to poison yourself quite badly. the dome of one of the cathedrals in St Petersburg was gold plated in this way, and it's still in good condition hundreds of years later.
I would talk to Johnson Mathey... we save up 5-10 years of precious metal waste and send it off to them for recovery.
using mercury.gold amalgam and then heating to drive off the mercury is a very good way to apply gold leaf. also a good way to poison yourself quite badly. the dome of one of the cathedrals in St Petersburg was gold plated in this way, and it's still in good condition hundreds of years later.
I would talk to Johnson Mathey... we save up 5-10 years of precious metal waste and send it off to them for recovery.
menno said:
Appreciate the replies everyone. I spoke with a specialist metal dealer (advised by BASF) who has some sort of laser apparatus which can zap this material to find out what it consists of. This technique will confirm the elements within it, but not the ratio.
If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
5 grams is not a small sample for elemental analysis. Might be worth a few $$$ tho'....If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
HTH
moreflaps said:
menno said:
Appreciate the replies everyone. I spoke with a specialist metal dealer (advised by BASF) who has some sort of laser apparatus which can zap this material to find out what it consists of. This technique will confirm the elements within it, but not the ratio.
If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
5 grams is not a small sample for elemental analysis. Might be worth a few $$$ tho'....If this initial analysis proves gold and platinum are present, then a small 5 gram sample will be sent for chemical analysis. It's this chemical analysis which will provide us with definitive results on quantity of each element.
The cost of separating the elements and smelting them into small bullions is just a few hundred pounds. Only worth it if the value of the precious metals outweighs the cost of smelting.
I'll keep you updated.
HTH
Our XRF kit at work uses a sample of 0.6g and that is from a non valuable sample. 5g is quite a lot.
Gassing Station | Science! | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff