Electrochemistry Recovering gold from sulfuric deplating tank?

[wildbill_hickup]

I must be searching this wrong. I have built and used the deplating tank Lasersteve describe and demontrated in his video. I now have a fair amount of black sludge settledon the bottom and the soluition above is clear and dark yellow. I carefully poured off the clear acid at the top untill I was down to about a quarter cup mixed with the sludge. I have mixed the remaining sludge/acid with 3 parts water. Now what??? :?:

OK here's the problem I haveing trouble finding the answer to. I have read several postes on how to recover the acid again, not really a concern for me as there is so little. What I need is a procedure for recovering the gold. Could someone help me out with the procedure for cleaning up the slude I now have mixed with water. Please at least help me find a link that will decribe it.

 

[nickvc]

My advice would be to increase the amount of water so the sludge settles quickly, decant carefully and repeat the same procedure, rinse with hydrochloric to remove impurities and then rinse once more in water, you can then either use the charmin plug and filter the sludge and then incinerate the plug and dissolve by the method of your choice or simply pour the sludge into a beaker and then dissolve,AR and Chlorox would both work to dissolve your gold.

 

[philddreamer]

Let the gold settle; decant; rinse again; let settle; decant.

Now the gold sediment can be dissolve in HCl/Cl (or in AR).
Evaporate the Cl by applying some heat, do not boil!
Then precipitate the gold & rinse your gold.

You can read more information here:
http://goldrefiningforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=11945&hilit=rinsing+gold+cell&start=80#p119296

Take care!
Phil

 

[butcher]

I want to remind readers if they are diluting concentrated sulfuric acid.

Never pour water into the acid.
(to dilute).

Always pour the acid into the water.
(to dilute).


Doing this wrong, (pouring water into concentrated sulfuric acid the water reacts, as soon as water hits the acid it will explode into steam splashing acid up ito your face).

 

[wildbill_hickup]

Thanks folks. Your the best. Butcher Thanks for the reminder but, I did remember the acid into water not water into acid. We can't remind folks enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[philddreamer]

Good reminder Butcher, we can never take anything for granted!

Phil

 

[Geo]

dont discard your diluted sulfuric. use a glass container, like an old coffee pot, and evaporate the water back out and re-use the acid.

 

[lazersteve]

Check the Guided Tour--> Reactions List--> Black Powder from Cell for complete details.

Steve