Pgm extraction magnetic SS

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You already asked this question in this thread, so I've merged your new thread into this one. Don't keep creating new threads on the same subject. It just clutters up the forum and makes it more confusing to find information.

Dave
 
So I have used 8 gallons so far of hcl 31% mixed with 16 gallons of water . I have 20 gallons of hcl waste that I disposed of to empty fertilizer containers .
I just put 2 more gallons of hcl and 4 gallons of water . I had 30lbs on bottom row and 30lbs of SS sitting on top . It appears I have digested about 40% of SS . Maybe a little less, I tried weighing 5 gallon bucket of waste stream I was hoping to see it weigh much more than 5 gallon bucket of water but it showed only about 3 lbs heavier at 43lbs.
 
To get an idea about what to expect I usually run a small experiment. A beaker or even a test tube. That way I can gain information about how much acid I need, if I need to heat it or not and if there is any flaws in my plan.

For example, taking a beaker with a known amount of acid and adding metal until it stops reacting. If I just keep track of the numbers it's an easy thing to calculate how much acid I need. And if I do this cold, I can heat the beaker to see how much difference heating will make, maybe the acid isn't used up, only working too slow to be noticed without heating.

Göran
 
Damn I thought about that after I started , as long as I keep the waste stream my values should be in there in the form of powder correct
 
These ceramic over Ss sheet , hammer mill to 1 inch screen , will liberate the ceramic and steel
Give a try.
 
Is there any way to do that with the position I'm in now . It's chewed through the majority of material . S.s coating has been digested and is now starting to float on top .
Nobody has a clue on how much or approx how much 31% hcl can hold per gallon ?
I'd assume someone with years of experience would have a ballpark idea like 1 gallon can hold 1 lb in solution etc.
 
There is probably no real definitive answer as there are a fair few variations of the alloy, you could have found the answer yourself had you just taken a kilo and tried to dissolve it all and noted how much acid you needed.
The only concern should be is it cost effective to process this material in this way, I would have thought yes if your percentage of PGMs is as you quoted.
 
As I stated in the beginning, I have done this once with an autocatalyst.
I used appr 8 liters/2 gallons to dissolve between 3-4 pounds of SS.
This was done cold and was on the rich side of the acid, could probably done more with heat.
This may apply to your situation as well.
 
Yeah I rushed into it.
I have a few more questions .
The hcl has done a good job of removing 80% of SS surface area , is the shiny layer majority of pgms?
More important question is will I be left with the alumina and pgms at bottom of container ?
 
When the SS is completely leached off, you will be left with a mix of washcoat ceramics and PGMs.
In my case that was a relatively coarse powder like sand.
 
Ok so I'm going to have to put the metal in solution. I have done it before and precipitated with sodium chlorate but didn't realize till a couple days ago I'd have to do it again unless ANY1 has any tips or tricks.
 
Eventually you may have to, but then you have to put all the metal into solution,
unless you use reverse AR.
 
So I spread my initial container into 2 other container just the metal . I wanted to look at the powder on the bottom and put some hcl on it.
I took a sample and put it in a small container and hit it with hcl and the video link is below .
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6y3BVR2h1ewvExfg9

Why won't the little metallic pieces in the sample dissolve?
Why is the powder so black it will not react with the hcl ?
 
You really shouldn't be doing this over the ground. The foil corrugate is iron chromium alloy and the chromium, even though it is exclusively Cr(III), is not good to get in soil.

When your acid stops dissolving the corrugate and hydrogen gas production ceases, you are left with a mixture of alumina and the PGM component. This material is very rich in PGM but must be further processed before melting.
 
I really appreciate the time & advice I am given by experts. If anything hits the ground I cringe cuz I picture pgm loss , now that I'm aware of environmental issues I really will do my best to make sure there's no accidents , I would of tarped the work area if I would have known but I rushed into this and realize I wasn't prepared.
That being said I can't Thank every 1 enough for the time and advice.
Can anyone expand on further processing , I am familiar with hcl/ lh2o2 recovery method .
Please any advice on how to proceed based on the experts advice.
 
What further processing is needed . I have added hcl to the black powder & even heated the hcl with no reaction .
Do I have to now put the pgm into solution via hcl/h2o2 for 3 hours?
 
The powders left behind when HCl has done its job, is what you want.
Powder composition dictates the best approach from here.
One can send it to specialists for final processing or do it yourself, but be ware of the toxicity of the salts.

I'm not too fond of these boil for two or three hour, mix 1-4 solutions, you select a process to dissolve what you have, which in return decides how to proceed.
Then you run it, until it has done what it should or can't dissolve anymore, always gentle with the oxidizers.

For instance Pd dissolves in nitric, then you go for it until there is no more reaction.
Later you may go for AR, HCl-H2O2, HCl-Bleach or similar to get the Pt or Rh that may be there.
If one suspects Rh a final processing with strong hot Sulfuric and NaCl may be needed.

Separation and refining these metals is outside the scope of most of us, but they can be cemented out from solution with Zinc or Copper, leaving you with pure-ish metal.
 
The majority of it is
PD at .05
PT. .01
AU .01
The XRF at a local jewelry store was kindto help me get this data .

My next question is my next move should be ?
Digest in Hcl fully
1Decant to waste stream
Cover cons in hcl
Wash with H20
Obtain Nitric and cement the metal out of solution
Then cupel . I really need to get this to metal form
 
Sorrycantseeme said:
The majority of it is
PD at .05
PT. .01
AU .01
The XRF at a local jewelry store was kindto help me get this data .

My next question is my next move should be ?
Digest in Hcl fully
1Decant to waste stream
Cover cons in hcl
Wash with H20
Obtain Nitric and cement the metal out of solution
Then cupel . I really need to get this to metal form
Click to expand...

I'm getting confused now. This is the third set (at least) of figures you have used. Let's take Pd. We've gone from 0.5% to 0.7% 5% on an XRF, and now 0.05. Now, which one are you working on because I'm totally lost.
 
Sorrycantseeme said:
I'm not going to comment on numbers
My next question is my next move should be ?
Digest in Hcl fully Have you dissolved all base metals now?
1Decant to waste stream
Cover cons in hcl
Wash with H20
Obtain Nitric and cement the metal out of solution ??
Then cupel . I really need to get this to metal form If you are not going to separate the PGMs, dissolve all in AR, wash the washcoat thoroughly and collect all liquids in one vessel and cement out, you will be left with relatively clean PGM powder if you sement with Zinc and then wash thoroughly in HCl
Click to expand...

See comments in color
 

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