Non-Chemical Refining 24k gold plated onto steel.

[GoldplatingServices]

I have a friend who recovered some gold from old 24k gold solution by Electrowinning onto steel wool. What is the best method of getting rid of the steel so only the gold remains? We have tried HCL but the particals are still magnetic, meaning it's not just 24k gold still. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Robert

 

[butcher]

I would think the whole lot would need to be dissolved again and refined. after inquarting the lot.

 

[Harold_V]

I have a friend who recovered some gold from old 24k gold solution by Electrowinning onto steel wool. What is the best method of getting rid of the steel so only the gold remains? We have tried HCL but the particals are still magnetic, meaning it's not just 24k gold still. Any recommendations?

Thanks,

Robert

Was the HCl applied hot? If not, try heating and see what the results are. I would also suggest a boil in dilute sulfuric.

If all else fails, process in AR, but expect that the gold will be contaminated to some degree with iron. A second refining would bring it fine, however.

I think I'd avoid the suggestion to inquart, for it really isn't necessary in this case. Inquartation is used when silver is a problem. That isn't the case here.

Tell your friend that he should use a better method to recover his gold---one that is selective and does not introduce contaminants.

Harold

 

[butcher]

Guess I have made the mistake a couple of times now of suggesting, inquartation of high percentage of gold, which I realize is not necessary in these instances, I will try to think more before trying to make suggestions, sometimes I am short on time but still want to contribute to the forum, but by not spending a few minutes to full read details of a question, or think of best answer I am not helping, I apologize and will try and do better.

 

[lazersteve]

I've had excellent luck dissolving iron from gold with HCl. Mine was a mistake I made early in my refining days where I dropped a molten gold button onto a steel plate and it soaked right in. I used a dremel tool to cut the discolored section of the steel plate out and saved it. A few months a go I found the alloyed piece of steel in my scrap box and tossed it in some HCl. I ended up with a 4 gram flat disk of gold which I redissolved in AR.

Steve