I need someone to smelt and refine raw rhodium ore in Oregon or a state along the pacific coast. Please help

[Philip Swit]

 

[Yggdrasil]

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Do you have an Assay?

 

[Yggdrasil]

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Welcome by the way.

 

[Yggdrasil]

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What we are asking is how do you know it is Rhodium ore?

 

[nickvc]

At the moment you have some rocks so why do you suspect you have any rhodium?

 

[Jessi]

I’ve smelted this type of ore. The best way to deal with it is to roast it so it’s easy to crush, crush it, and use a flux like Chapmans. It runs very thick so adding a thinner will help. Use lead instead of bismuth. I’ve had buttons disappear into the cupel right before my eyes because of the way the ore reacts to bismuth.

If you want someone else to smelt it for you I would recommend calling a metallurgical lab in your area. They can crush and smelt this type of ore.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I’ve smelted this type of ore. The best way to deal with it is to roast it so it’s easy to crush, crush it, and use a flux like Chapmans. It runs very thick so adding a thinner will help. Use lead instead of bismuth. I’ve had buttons disappear into the cupel right before my eyes because of the way the ore reacts to bismuth.

If you want someone else to smelt it for you I would recommend calling a metallurgical lab in your area. They can crush and smelt this type of ore.

Welcome to us.
So no assay or any other identification of the ore or its content?
Seriously

 

[Jessi]

I send it for assay after I smelt it. Is that a problem? I have my own set up and I have years of experience looking at ore. It’s faster and cheaper for me to make a metal button from the ore and send it away.

Welcome to us.
So no assay or any other identification of the ore or its content?
Seriouslyi

 

[goldshark]

The go to guy- maybe, is Jason with MBMM. He will know if there is anybody doing that kind of work in the NW.

 

[Yggdrasil]

I send it for assay after I smelt it. Is that a problem? I have my own set up and I have years of experience looking at ore. It’s faster and cheaper for me to make a metal button from the ore and send it away.

The problem with that is mostly from unknown ores. Which is valid for fir the poster we reply to here.
An assay will tell you if there are toxic elements as Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium and so on.
Additionally if done correctly one can get hints to what kind of Flux will be beneficial for that specific ore.

 

[RichardSukhoi]

The problem with that is mostly from unknown ores. Which is valid for fir the poster we reply to here.
An assay will tell you if there are toxic elements as Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium and so on.
Additionally if done correctly one can get hints to what kind of Flux will be beneficial for that specific ore.

Naive question but with standard ore roasting does the arsenic depart as a vapour? If true, is not plain Roufosse venting still a hazard where natural concentration is at higher end? Or is the expected total mass for small ore quantity trivial? Is there a way to “get” or lock up the arsenic fumes?

 

[Yggdrasil]

Naive question but with standard ore roasting does the arsenic depart as a vapour? If true, is not plain Roufosse venting still a hazard where natural concentration is at higher end? Or is the expected total mass for small ore quantity trivial? Is there a way to “get” or lock up the arsenic fumes?

I'm not a ore guy so I can't say for sure.
Anyway you will need proper hood and flues.

 

[goldshark]

Naive question but with standard ore roasting does the arsenic depart as a vapour? If true, is not plain Roufosse venting still a hazard where natural concentration is at higher end? Or is the expected total mass for small ore quantity trivial? Is there a way to “get” or lock up the arsenic fumes?

The usual reply is "dilution is the solution to pollution". If you are going to test a small sample, once in a long while, the need for a condenser/bag house will never materialize. Small 1-2 lb. samples can be roasted in a remote area, away from unknowing people, animals, and food sources. Stay up wind as yes, the Arsenic departs as smoke first, then vapor. A bag house/condenser is what is used on a commercial operation. This is basically a large vacuum cleaner with filter, and a cooler to condense the fumes. Much more then a small amount and the EPA will find out eventually. Fines are very stiff.