Hi new to the gold world. I actually have a problem. I was using hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide to dissolve the base metals. It was working so good I thought it the more concentrated hydrogen peroxide would work even better but then I seen my gold start disappearing in the solution. Is there a way to reclaim it?
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- Thread starter Wonka
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Yes there are, but kindly describe what and how much you have been dissolving.
Next I suggest you put a lid on your solutions and hide it away until you have studied some more.
Here is what we want you to study, especially the book from Hoke for understanding what is going on and the safety sections to keep you and those around you safe are important.
Next the dealing with waste so you don't pollute your surroundings.
We ask our new members to do 3 things.
1. Read C.M. Hokes book on refining jewelers scrap, it gives an easy introduction to the most important chemistry regarding refining.
It is free here on the forum: Screen Readable Copy of Hoke's Book
2. Then read the safety section of the forum: Safety
3. And then read about "Dealing with waste" in the forum: Dealing with Waste
Suggested reading: The Library
https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/gold-refining-forum-rules.31182/
Here is a way to reclaim your Gold.
https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/when-in-doubt-cement-it-out.30236/
I’ve been using muriatic acid 2/3 and then 1/3 3% hydrogen peroxide, and it was working great. Would stripe all the gold off in a day. Then I seen the more concentrated hydrogen peroxide and changed it to 90% muriatic acid 10% 16% hydrogen peroxide, until I seen the gold dissolve. Now I’m back to the old way and I’m adding about 5% water as well. It’s working great this way but, I have a gallon jar full of dissolved gold, muriatic acid, and 16% hydrogen peroxide. It’s tired somewhat blue. I’ve read that’s some kind of chloride. I’m curious if I could just some aluminum in it and use a battery charger to plate the gold on to it. I’d rather have some kind of chemical reaction that would cause the gold to precipitate though.
As I said, you should stop this and study until you understand what is happening in your solution.
Take a time out and study.
The Gold will not go anywhere until you precipitate it or throw it away.
You did not say anything about what and how much you are treating?
The HCl and Peroxide should be swapped out with HCl and air bubbling, it has no risk of dissolving the Gold.
Cheaper too.
Where did you find this process?
The gallon had about 40 random boards pass through it. A lot with gold fingers. I found the process in the first process on the internet. I’ve done a lot of research and it all seems over complicated. You shouldn’t have to dissolve all the acids out just to get the gold. I have changed to mostly HCI with a little hydrogen peroxide and a bubbler. Should I be able to just boil the solution down to just HCI and then use some chemical process to get the gold out. What about the scnl (I think). Couldn’t I just dump a bunch in and the gold would precipitate? The AH or AC method?
As I say, your questions proves you do not know what you are doing, not intended as negative criticism.
Just stating facts, do as I say, start to study.
We NEVER dump whole boards in acid, only pins and close cut fingers.
Trash in trash out is a good expression here as well.
Then we use the Copper Chloride etch aka AP process to remove the copper under the Gold.
When the foils are liberated we siphon off the liquid and wash off the board pieces and remaining solids.
The foils are then sometimes washed in HCl for some time and then dissolved.
But study first so you know what to do and what to do when things behave different.
Your information is insufficient to give any advice regarding expected yields.
Ya I get it. I know how to do it normally. This gallon was a test batch with the higher hydrogen peroxide. I just need to know how do get dissolved gold out of it. I have done the research and see no information on dissolved gold in HCI and 16% hydrogen peroxide. All I can imagine to do is boil off the hydrogen peroxide and put nitric acid in it. But I feel that’s a giant waste. I have about 200 lbs of processors, Ram, and graphics cards going. I just need this one problem fixed.
If you are going to continue processing you NEED to start studying.
There is no need to do anything special with peroxide, Nitric on the other hand is a completely different ball game.
I have already given the answer, but since you prefer to be spoon fed instead of doing your own reading.
Cement it on Copper will always work, I even gave you the link.
You have an acid and an oxidizer, with gold and other stuff in it. You get it out like you normally would. Clean up is the normal way when you have dirty gold from an acid and oxidizer. Once that is all done you melt it like you normally would.
Chemistry can be very difficult on its own, no need for making it harder than it has to be.
Before being upset at my reply think about what I just said carefully. The answer is there.
Chemistry can be very difficult on its own, no need for making it harder than it has to be.
Before being upset at my reply think about what I just said carefully. The answer is there.
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