Non-Chemical help a newbiew

[skakid812]

Ok I have searched but didnt get what I wanted, basically tried to refine some silver for the first time after much research (So I thought)

Basically took my nitric acid 68%, did 50/50 water solution, added a few pieces of silver/sterling/scrap (about 10 grams) and let it dissolve, then I added some copper coil, pure copper I had purchased. Took a long time for the copper to dissolve, about 45 minutes and there wasnt any silver clumps or anything like I had read about. Then I added a thicker piece of copper and that triggered it to actually let some silver sediment drop towards the bottom, and still that copper wire didnt fully dissolve. So I filtered it using a coffee filter, and it had greyish silver stuff all on the edges, and a little clump where the spout is, but not nearly as much as there should of been. What am I doing wrong! I have no idea how I am supposed to extract allllll that silver from this filter! The guides I read showed a finished product of a nice solid chunk of raw silver which I did not see. I was able to melt down about 3 grams of silver but I know there should of been more, any advice is appreciated.

 

[tek4g63]

Maybe start reading here.

http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=50

 

[nickvc]

Welcome to the forum.
You have much to learn I'm afraid, the first error was you obviously used far too much nitric acid as the copper dissolved and no silver cemented, there are calculations to determine how much you need for the silver to be dissolved, I'm also assuming you didn't use heat which makes much better use of the nitric which should be added to the silver scrap with distilled water already in there and only small additions when the reaction stops until the material has dissolved. Cementation isn't instantaneous it takes time so put your copper back into your solution again a little heat will speed the reaction if you can't wait. The other point I will make is I hope you aren't doing this in your home but either outside or using a fume hood, those fumes are not good in any form, also make sure you have no metals exposed to the fumes or they are gone also. To check that all the silver has cemented a drop of hydrochloric added to your solution will show you either a zero reaction or if you get a white precipitate, silver chloride, you still have silver in solution.
My advice is to put your copper back into your solution, somewhere safe away from pets, family, neighbours and anything metallic and do some serious studying here on the forum, it's all here you just have to look.

 

[srlaulis]

Skakid812,

Welcome to the Gold Refining Forum! We are glad to have you here. This forum contains some of the most experienced and knowledgeable members when it comes to refining precious metals from various forms of stock. This is a self help forum. What that means is there is a bit of self education required before the seasoned members here are more interested in helping you with questions and guidance. Below is a checklist that should be completed for your safety, the safety of those around you and property.

1. I would recommend you stop everything you are doing and read Refining Precious Metal Wastes by C.M. Hoke. Below is a link to a download, here in our forum, where you can download a free copy.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2815953/Refining-Precious-Metal-Wastes-C-M-Hoke

2. You should perform the acquaintance experiments Ms. Hoke instructs, to better familiarize yourself with the different type of reactions different metals have with different acids and temperatures. However, before performing any exercise, review the MSDS Sheet for each acid in the exercise.

3. I would learn what the scientific names are for different acids. For instance, you should learn that Hydrogen Peroxide is also known as H2O2. Also learn the chemical symbols for different elements like Platinum, which is also known as Pt.

Once all of the above have been completed, you should then thoroughly go through the Welcome Tutorial thread located at the link below AND read through all the sections of the forum, in its entirety:

http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?p=6873#6873

Our seasoned members here will know if you have done your homework and if you know the material from Hoke's book, Refining Precious Metals Wastes. Their willingness to help you greatly depends on their belief that you have successfully completed all of the above.

We are glad to have you!

 

[BJL1984]

I agree with the other members more research is needed before you safely go forward with more reactions, going forward witht these proceses with little knowledge can be a very dangerous and coslty gamble, both for your health andthat of you wallet, a little tidbit of information about my first experience wth silver refining, is I let the copper set in solution for almost 24 hours before i even went into testing the solution to see if all the the silver had cemented out, never forget knowledge and safetly are your key goals in any of these proceses, but patience is of utmost importance also, for lack of patience cn not only cause you to lose values, but you can also endanger your self and others without knowing it till its too late