Build mercury retort

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saadat68

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 7, 2016
Messages
482
Hi
I want to make a mercury retort and have some problems.
Unfortunately I can not find black iron fittings and cap. I can find these:
Coupling 4" like: https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91TM20lAqPL._SX385_.jpg for body retort and galvanized fittings.

After reading this topic http://goldrefiningforum.com/~goldrefi/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=661&start=30#p273651
I found that I can not use steel pipe for my retort.
If I find a suitable gasket I can make this design with black iron. But I have some questions.
http://uupload.ir/files/ayln_htb12j0ihxxxxxadxpxxq6xxfxxxq.jpg

1- I want use a 4 inch iron pipe and weld a sheet on bottom of the pipe. Can heat damage welds and make a leak?
2- How much thickness needed for pipe/body retort ?

Thanks
 
Sadat,
Part of the problem with finding things on the forum is the fact that it is scattered about the forum. There are other threads about retorts and you woild better adding your questions to an existing thread rather than starting a new one, which you do far too much.

To answer your question, yes a weld would withstand the heat you will apply to the retort.
 
Maybe it is better to use this design. It is very simple :
http://projects.inweh.unu.edu/inweh/inweh/content/1223/IWLEARN/Outreach%20Materials/issue-2-october-2006-english-2_2.jpg

Is it safe ? I think steam explosion may occur in this design

--------------------
Thanks
I thought new thread is better because other threads is old and also I want add some images from my retort. Moderator, merge my topic in another topic please
 
I dont know for sure if this is a viable option.
But, have you tried loctite thread sealer? Or maybe even teflon tape?(i dont think it does well with high heat situations), maybe another means of getting it sealed?

Call me crazy, but I wouldn't take the chance with mercury fumes, but I have a family that depends on me..

Surely there is a better way to go about this..

Sodium thio solution can dissolve silver oxide...not saying thats a better way, since I am unfamiliar with it's chemistry concerning mercury. But, there has to be a less dangerous way.

I know that the pressure is immense in your situation, since you prematurely got an expensive workspace and what not. But, you simply cannot jeopardize your health, and those around you, for a little metal.

Whats wrong with the traditional methods of battery recovery?
 
Hi Topher
I found retorting Hg is best method. I want to use traditional method but I must find a way to remove Hg

Tonight I will search about Sodium thio leaching but I don't think it can remove Hg. Also some of powder are silver metal.

And about loctite thread sealer, It is not good Idea because heat is above 400 C and I want open and close it continuously

Thanks
 
https://www.google.com/search?q=high+temp+thread+sealant&oq=hifh+temp+thread+&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l3.4680j0j4&client=ms-android-verizon&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

One of those should be able to work then
 
I don't think can find them here
No problem I will use flange but first must find a material for gasket. There is ceramic sheet/paper here but I don't know does it works or no
-------------
Edit:
Ceramic paper doesn't work. :(

Can I use mica sheet? The water Absorption is <1%

I can solve all of problems If I could use fittings with some leak on bottom
I don't think these models are sealant completely
http://rachel.golearn.us/modules/en-practical_action/Manufacturing,%20handicraft,%20process%20industries/Mining%20and%20Mineral%20Industries/KnO-100361_A%20simple%20retort/page1.html

http://www.bandmcrushers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Simple-retort-300x200.jpg
 
That design looks fine, I would however continually have cold tap water flowing into the water cooling pot and overflowing to a drain. This is non contact cooling water so it has no chance of being contaminated with mercury. The one mistake I have seen often is the condenser is allowed to get too hot because the water is static in some designs and this limits the ability of the mercury to condense. Cold water flow fixes that.
 
Thanks 4metals
I decided use conventional design with few changes yesterday
I try to finish it in 7 days and then add some pics

I prefer to use condenser without circulation. For this goal I will build a bigger condenser and longer pipe than conventional design but if it doesn't work I add a pump for water circulation
 
saadat68 said:
... but if it doesn't work I add a pump for water circulation

Maybe this is a dumb question, but, isnt this something you want to be certain works the first time.?

...there may not be another try to fix any issues

Which begs another question-
How do you plan on finding out if it isnt working?
 
Maybe this is a dumb question, but, isnt this something you want to be certain works the first time.?

Our friend Mr Saadat seems to enjoy re-inventing the wheel. I cannot think of one thing he has asked about where he didn't have some reason why it had to be altered before he even tried it.

Some guys like to live on the edge.
 
Topher_osAUrus said:
saadat68 said:
... but if it doesn't work I add a pump for water circulation

Maybe this is a dumb question, but, isnt this something you want to be certain works the first time.?

...there may not be another try to fix any issues

Which begs another question-
How do you plan on finding out if it isnt working?

I just want to heat retort for 20 min and check water temp!
If water was hot so it doesn't work
 
4metals said:
Maybe this is a dumb question, but, isnt this something you want to be certain works the first time.?

Our friend Mr Saadat seems to enjoy re-inventing the wheel. I cannot think of one thing he has asked about where he didn't have some reason why it had to be altered before he even tried it.

Some guys like to live on the edge.

In some designs in web they don't have any condenser so I thought a condenser without circulation is enough
But If you say it must has circulation, OK I will add a pump
 
Unfortunately I couldn't find a suitable gasket so I decide to use this design
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL9deyMSzs8&list=PL3abwjc2nPD9e1LNizx-4I8lFdph7dELo

http://uupload.ir/files/tdmh_img_20170818_165213.jpg

I don't like this design and also I don't like reinvent the wheel but I think I can increase efficiency with adding a pipe and condenser.

What do you think ?

http://uupload.ir/files/74ru_img_20170818_165213_-_copy.jpg
 
Disclaimer: I haven't watched this and don't intend to waste 17 mins of my weekend doing so; I merely became aware of its existence a week or so ago. There may well be something useful in it for you as long as you also consider your safety, for I would not be surprised if it includes at least one instance of mercury with bare hands in it, making tea with it, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDwsY1yx8XI
 
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