Silver Cell for Dummies.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

Why silver cell is unique compared to conventional electrorefining cells like copper or gold ones?
Every other cell operator aim for dense and well adhered cathode deposit.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

There are two types of electrical conductivity.
Metallic conductivity and electrolytic conductivity.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

Attraction force between oppositely charged particles is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
It's a kind of a chain.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

What is the majority of energy applied is coming to?
Net energy balance for Ag on the anode and the cathode is zero.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

The Ohm law says: I=U/R

johnny309 · Feb 12, 2013

Yes ...the OHM law...is I=U/R,voltage has the simbol "U"...and this is international.
So...how to grow more crystal in less time?
Let's think.....mmmm......I know.... :lol:

.

To charge a Pb battery you will do an electrolisys procedure......

To have many Amps per hour you will need a greater surface....
So...the rule is the same here ...in silver cell.....do not increase the voltage(it will give you dirty crystals)....just increase the size of the cell,the anode and the cathode.

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

Unfortunately at the cathode we have not only one reaction:

Ag+ + e = Ag

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

For voltage drop 1volt per 10mm of electrolyte @18deg Celsius the ionic speeds:

K+ = 0.00669mm/sec
H+ = 0.03415mm/sec
NO3- = 0.00640mm/sec

amesametrita · Feb 12, 2013

One solution is to periodically add some HNO3.

butcher · Feb 13, 2013

amesametrita,
Very understandable and well written, I like this explanation, it makes sense, If I understand one part of this you are adding a nitrate salt to move electrolyte, replacing mechanical stirring, or where mechanical stirring would not normally be used or would cause problems.

Thank you for taking the time to write this out in simpler terms, where us cell dummies can benefit.
I do not completely understand some details of this but I can see the overall picture.
Reading the article GSP posted on the other thread, and reading what you have written here, I am getting a better Idea of what you have been talking about.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

Let's investigate WHY contaminants deposit on the cathode.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

There are some technologies against it like solid bottom of the bag, sucking solution from the bag to make counterflow etc.
They all work for Moebius cells only.

Drimacus · Feb 13, 2013

I want to maximize the life of the nitric acid electrolyte, so will be using silver anodes of at least 99% purity. It would also be desirable to minimize electrolyte decomposition by parasitic reaction as discussed in part 6. My question is, will reducing the current/amperage help to minimize the formation of nitrogen oxides?
Also, in the Moebius patent US532209A of 1895 the electrolyte used is a strong acidied solution of potassium or sodium nitrates. Why this and why has it fallen out of favor? Just curious.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

The only contaminant I'm afraid of in a silver cell is Tellurium.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

to be continued

First I'm going to answer the questions in this tread.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

butcher said:
If I understand one part of this you are adding a nitrate salt to move electrolyte, replacing mechanical stirring, or where mechanical stirring would not normally be used or would cause problems.

This are two different concepts.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

Drimacus said:
I want to maximize the life of the nitric acid electrolyte, so will be using silver anodes of at least 99% purity. It would also be desirable to minimize electrolyte decomposition by parasitic reaction as discussed in part 6. My question is, will reducing the current/amperage help to minimize the formation of nitrogen oxides?

It will help.

kadriver · Feb 13, 2013

This is one of the best descriptions of the inner workings of a silver cell that I have seen.

Thank you for all the insight. I had no idea all these other things were taking place, just like Darwin could never have known the complex inner workings of the cell (like we know them today) when he wrote "The Origin of Species".

You have explained it all and I have learned new things from your post - and if buthcer is sold on the validity, then so am I.

Thank you!

kadriver

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

Nothing about electrochemistry here. Just rules of thumb for maximum profit.

amesametrita · Feb 13, 2013

I can't see any reason for electrolyte reconditioning when dealing with low grade feedstock.
It's just economically unfeasible.

Silver Cell for Dummies.

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