What Processes Are Used to Precipitate Precious Metals from Liquid Chemical Solutions?
If you happen to discover liquid chemicals in an old factory, how can find out whether they contain precious metals like gold, silver or platinum?
There are three steps to take…
Photo of used silver recovery columns sent to Specialty Metals for the profitable extraction and recycling of the electrolytic silver flake residue they still contain.
- Look at drums or containers for any markings or labels.
- If no markings or labels are present, consider what the chemicals might have been used for. If you found them in a facility where ink or photo processing materials were made, for example, chances are pretty good that they contain silver. If you found them in a factory where paint was made, they could contain cadmium or chromium, but probably no more valuable metals.
- Then call Specialty Metals Smelters and Refiners at 800-426-2344, tell us as much as you can about what you have, and send us a sample for testing.
How Can Precious Metals Be Extracted from Liquid Chemicals?
If your liquid chemicals contain gold, silver, platinum or other precious metals, how can they be separated (precipitated) out of their solutions and tuned into solid metallic form again? Several different processes can be used to precipitate previous metals from liquids. They are explained in this informative video from the International Precious Metals Institute:
As this video shows, the most often-used processes are:
- Cementation – Other metals are introduced that cause precious metals to precipitate. As the video explains, noble metals will claim electrons from less noble metals during this process.
- Chemical reactions using chemical compounds – In this process, chemical compounds that may not contain metals are used to precipitate precious metals from solutions. Sulphur dioxide gas, for example, can be used to precipitate gold from some solutions.
- Electrolysis – In this process, no chemicals are used to cause chemical reactions. Instead, electric current is run through chemical solutions to cause reactions that cause precious metals to precipitate out.
Want to Know More? Call Specialty Metals
If you have liquid chemicals that contain – or could contain – precious metals, give us a call today at 800-426-2344. We’ll be pleased to explain the processes we use to test your chemicals and extract any precious metals they contain. When you call, please mention today’s post and ask about the free or reduced-cost shipping we offer on some materials that are sent to us for testing.
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How Palladium and Platinum Refiners Remove Precious Metals from Liquids
How To Recycle Your Old Silver Recovery Columns