Dr_Code
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 21, 2012
- Messages
- 26
---background---
I'm the new guy to the fourm. This is my first time attempting to refine. I used to do computer repair full time, now it's only a side job. I have aquired a lot of electronic scrap over the years. I could never part with - because there's gold in them boards!
I've seen many other methods online, but they always seemed to lack an important step. The closest thing I could find to 'real' was the subzero method but I didn't like the "here's how to do it...mostly...but hey - you gotta buy our mistery powder"
This is the best site I have come across! I apprecate all you have put forth for us!
---process---
I'm using lazersteve's method for finger removal. I didn't want to get too in over my head with chemical ammounts and fumes, so I chose the same setup but scaled it down to large plastic cups. I used 1 cup of HCL and 1/2 cup H2O2 plus a bit more H2O2.
The gold fingers started to bubble and things started to fume (I assume this is Cl gas). I agitated the mix and let it sit outside on the porch for a bit. This seems to be an exothermic reaction - things were getting warmer...not really hot...but warm. Not wanting the neighbors to have to smell anything I came up with the quick solution (not the liquid type) of using a larger container with a large vent on top. Covering this vent I placed a filter made of mesh and activated charcoal. I placed the reaction in the larger container and closed the lid. I understand that Cl gas is heavier than air, and most likely stays inside the container anyways but wanted an extra layer of protection. It seemed to stop the smell.
---Real question---
24hrs later I have about 50% finger removal. Things also stoped bubbling and fuming. They still smell a bit but no visable fumes. I also understand that this process can take up to a week if agitation is not used (I haven't done much since the inital agitation.) No problems there..that's fine with me that it will take a bit more time.
Are there any other gases I need to be concerend about other than the Cl gas from the HCl? Being that it seems now like it is 'stuff sitting in a greenish liquid' is it still reacting, or should I do something to the reaction? Tonight we are supposed to get frost. The reaction seems to no longer be exothermic. How tempature sensitive is this reaction? If I leave it ouside will it resume again once it warms up? Am I best to bring it somehwere more tempature controlled?
On a side note - I know in the video the stuff left over was placed into a bucket for something. What was that for? What do I need to do to render the leftovers safe once I'm done. Can I use them again for another reaction?
Sorry for the lenghty post. I want to be able to do this without killing myself, the neighbors, or my future grandkids.
I'm the new guy to the fourm. This is my first time attempting to refine. I used to do computer repair full time, now it's only a side job. I have aquired a lot of electronic scrap over the years. I could never part with - because there's gold in them boards!
I've seen many other methods online, but they always seemed to lack an important step. The closest thing I could find to 'real' was the subzero method but I didn't like the "here's how to do it...mostly...but hey - you gotta buy our mistery powder"
This is the best site I have come across! I apprecate all you have put forth for us!
---process---
I'm using lazersteve's method for finger removal. I didn't want to get too in over my head with chemical ammounts and fumes, so I chose the same setup but scaled it down to large plastic cups. I used 1 cup of HCL and 1/2 cup H2O2 plus a bit more H2O2.
The gold fingers started to bubble and things started to fume (I assume this is Cl gas). I agitated the mix and let it sit outside on the porch for a bit. This seems to be an exothermic reaction - things were getting warmer...not really hot...but warm. Not wanting the neighbors to have to smell anything I came up with the quick solution (not the liquid type) of using a larger container with a large vent on top. Covering this vent I placed a filter made of mesh and activated charcoal. I placed the reaction in the larger container and closed the lid. I understand that Cl gas is heavier than air, and most likely stays inside the container anyways but wanted an extra layer of protection. It seemed to stop the smell.
---Real question---
24hrs later I have about 50% finger removal. Things also stoped bubbling and fuming. They still smell a bit but no visable fumes. I also understand that this process can take up to a week if agitation is not used (I haven't done much since the inital agitation.) No problems there..that's fine with me that it will take a bit more time.
Are there any other gases I need to be concerend about other than the Cl gas from the HCl? Being that it seems now like it is 'stuff sitting in a greenish liquid' is it still reacting, or should I do something to the reaction? Tonight we are supposed to get frost. The reaction seems to no longer be exothermic. How tempature sensitive is this reaction? If I leave it ouside will it resume again once it warms up? Am I best to bring it somehwere more tempature controlled?
On a side note - I know in the video the stuff left over was placed into a bucket for something. What was that for? What do I need to do to render the leftovers safe once I'm done. Can I use them again for another reaction?
Sorry for the lenghty post. I want to be able to do this without killing myself, the neighbors, or my future grandkids.