Hi all, this is one of those experiments done for the sake of learning. I was given "grinding sludge" from a precision grinder that is no longer in business. Clean the machine for sale- get some sludge. There isn't much but hopefully enough to learn from.
Details: Gold plate was ground off from an iron nickel alloy. Sludge is Gold bonded to that alloy and abrasive grit.
no estimate possible on percentages of each metal, or grit.
Goal: Want to try leaching with HCl and Bleach, using SMB to precipitate.
Failure: root cause- ignorance. I took a half golf ball sized lump of the material, mixed 1oz ( 5%) Clorox with 2oz (35%?) HCl. very quickly I generated a very bright yellow liquid, in time it took a green cast (Nickel ions, no copper in alloy or plating) the next day, to this I added SMB... and more SMB... and yet more still. All I got was a dark brown liquid, no particular precipitate... and eventually a thick layer of white sludge.
From this brown liquid, I decanted the top layer, ran some of it through a coffee filter- just to see what it is like- think red clay mud. Ive made many errors... but its basically cost me time only. now I have a quart of brown liquid. I can start from scratch, but could use a bit of advice on how to proceed this time
I have done a fair bit of reading so far, I see more than a few mistakes, but as my material is somewhat limited I am hoping for a bit of guidance this time.
Thank you for both assistance and patience
MG
Details: Gold plate was ground off from an iron nickel alloy. Sludge is Gold bonded to that alloy and abrasive grit.
no estimate possible on percentages of each metal, or grit.
Goal: Want to try leaching with HCl and Bleach, using SMB to precipitate.
Failure: root cause- ignorance. I took a half golf ball sized lump of the material, mixed 1oz ( 5%) Clorox with 2oz (35%?) HCl. very quickly I generated a very bright yellow liquid, in time it took a green cast (Nickel ions, no copper in alloy or plating) the next day, to this I added SMB... and more SMB... and yet more still. All I got was a dark brown liquid, no particular precipitate... and eventually a thick layer of white sludge.
From this brown liquid, I decanted the top layer, ran some of it through a coffee filter- just to see what it is like- think red clay mud. Ive made many errors... but its basically cost me time only. now I have a quart of brown liquid. I can start from scratch, but could use a bit of advice on how to proceed this time
I have done a fair bit of reading so far, I see more than a few mistakes, but as my material is somewhat limited I am hoping for a bit of guidance this time.
Thank you for both assistance and patience
MG