Gold can be recovered from electronics components.
Gold is one of the most valuable substances in the world. Though associated with jewelry and coins, the precious metal is also a component of computers and other electronics equipment. Once no longer of use, gold can be turned into scrap. Larger amounts of gold, such as that found in jewelry, can simply be melted down. Smaller amounts can be recovered through a variety of chemical processes.
Gold Coatings
Visible quantities of gold inside computers and other machines can be carefully scraped off. Gold that is difficult to reach, such as that on the edges of motherboards, can be easily freed by using CBX gold stripping powder. The CBX powder dissolves the material to which the gold is attached. CBX should not be applied to the delicate interiors of machines because of the danger of destroying essential components. Gold here is best treated with an electrolyte, called StripFree. StripFree removes thin coatings of gold from computer chips, and other similar items, by drawing the gold away from underlying metals. StripFree will work with any of the following metals: stainless steel and steel substrates, nickel, and rhodium. Place the part in a solution of StripFree and charge it with three to six volts of electric current. The process is the reverse of electroplating. The electric current causes the gold to dislodge itself from the metal, and dissolve into the StripFree solution.
Gold That is Difficult to Reach
Sometimes the gold is extremely difficult to reach, or is available in only minute quantities on a given piece. For recovery of this gold, try aqua regia. Aqua regia is a combination of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid. Used since medieval times, it is the only acid capable of dissolving gold. Aqua regia is extremely corrosive and dangerous. It must be used in a well-ventilated area. 3 to 4.5 milliliters of aqua regia is required to remove the gold from every 1 gram of scrap. Aqua regia will react extremely violently with any non-gold items that are present in the scrap. For this reason, the acid must be added very slowly. The complete reaction may take several minutes. Larger pieces of scrap may actually appear undisturbed, but can instantly be broken up with a stirring rod. The reaction is complete when all bubbling has stopped, and the acid is cooled to room temperature. The cooled mixture is passed through a Buchner filtering funnel. The gold is precipitated from the mixture using ferrous sulfate, also known as copperas. The mixture is again poured through the Buchner filter. The gold can be washed with water, and treated with hydrochloric acid, to remove further impurities.
Related Posts:
Remove Gold From Circuit Boards
Remove Gold From Circuit BoardsThere are four main methods of removing gold from circuit boards, each with its pros and cons. The most effective, and most time-consuming, method is scraping with a...
Identify Gold Jewelry By Number Marks
The numbers on gold tell you its purity.Finding karat gold at collectibles malls, flea markets or garage sales can be fun but identifying what gold you're buying is critical to avoid scams and sav...
Troubleshoot A Whirlpool Gold Refrigerator
Troubleshoot your refrigerator so your food does not spoil.If you are having problems with your Whirlpool Gold refrigerator, you may be able to repair it yourself instead of paying for an expensiv...
Make A Scrap Wire Stripper
Make a Scrap Wire StripperStripping wire can be an essential task for an electrical job or a way to make money on scrap devices. Many scrap yards pay for the bare copper or other metals of the wir...
Skin Bleaching Methods
Skin Bleaching MethodsSkin bleaching is common in Asia and parts of Africa and has gained popularity in the United States. This is in contrast to the notion of a suntan as the ideal that is preval...
