Removing silver flake from steel wool

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ikimasen
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Silver Steel
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods for separating silver flakes from steel wool that has been used to recover silver from film fixer in an industrial radiography context. Participants explore various techniques for effectively extracting the silver while minimizing loss.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests dissolving the iron in hydrochloric acid, noting the need for safety precautions due to the corrosive nature of the acid.
  • Another participant raises a financial consideration, questioning whether the amount of silver present justifies the costs involved in the separation process.
  • It is proposed that filtering the solution after dissolving the iron could effectively separate the silver flakes from the acid.
  • Another method mentioned involves melting the silver, as it has a lower melting point than steel, which could allow for separation through temperature differences.
  • A more complex method involving mercury to create an amalgam with silver is also suggested, although it is noted to be complicated and requires specific equipment.
  • Some participants engage in light-hearted banter regarding the complexity of the proposed methods, suggesting a contest of sorts to find the most complicated separation technique.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying opinions on the best method for silver separation, with no consensus reached on a single approach. Some methods are viewed as more straightforward, while others are considered unnecessarily complicated.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention safety precautions and financial considerations, but there is no agreement on the most effective or practical method for separation. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the quantity of silver present and its economic viability.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals involved in industrial radiography, metal recovery, or those interested in chemical separation techniques may find this discussion relevant.

Ikimasen
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I have a practical question. I work in the radiography department of an industrial contractor and we've found some old recovery buckets used to recover the silver from old film fixer. Essentially you have a bucket of steel wool that the fixer (with silver precipitate) passes through, which traps the silver flakes in the fixer. Now I have what you might call a "bucket of crud" that is a mix of wet steel wool with silver flakes in it which, so far, no one wants to buy. How can I separate the silver from the steel wool without losing any silver so it can then be sold? (who cares about the steel wool.)
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Dissolve the iron in hydrochloric acid. Concentrated is sometimes sold under the name of muriatic acid. Be careful - it is a nasty, corrosive stuff. Gloves and glasses are minimum, and you better add it outside, as it requires a good ventilation. Once diluted it is not that scary.
 
Work out your costs first.Is there enough silver to make this financially worthwhile?
 
Good point - but muriatic acid is quite cheap.
 
So the hydrochloric acid will destroy the iron but leave the silver behind, with nothing left to do but strain it out of the acid? It should be cost effective, though I could buy silver concentration test strips to make absolutely certain, but really there should be a pretty good amount of silver in there.
 
Ikimasen said:
So the hydrochloric acid will destroy the iron but leave the silver behind, with nothing left to do but strain it out of the acid?

Yes, filtering should do the trick. I would start neutralizing the solution, at least partially. For example with sodium carbonate or bicarbonate.
 
If the silver flakes are enough, in absolute sense and compared to the steel wool, another possibility is melting: silver melts at ~ 962°C while steel or iron oxides melts at much higher temperature.

If one has a lot of mercury and have a fume hood, it could also remove silver making an amalgam with Hg and then remove this by boiling. Quite complicated, however.
 
Is this 'find the most complicated way of silver separation' contest?
 
Borek said:
Is this 'find the most complicated way of silver separation' contest?
The first answerers are in advantage. The last have to say more complicated things :smile:
 

Similar threads

The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K