Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DESCRIPTION:
TITLE: ELECTRO-EXTRACTION OF DESIRABLE METALS FROM HYDROXY ACIDS. BY
MICROWAVES
AND ELECTROLYSIS.
1.0 DEFINITIONS, BACKGROND, TECHNICAL PROBLEMS, AND USEFULNESS.
1.1.0 Definitions And Use Of Terms In This Disclosure
1.1.1. Desirable Metal refers specifically to gold, silver, copper, zinc,
platinum, palladium, iridium,
rhodium, chromium, cobalt, nickel, and any other transition metal, which has a
chemical bond-
strength with oxygen that is weaker than the chemical bond strength between
hydrogen and
oxygen.
1.1.2. Intermolecular Water, HOH, is water, which is intermolecularly
integrated into the ionic
configuration of an aqueous acid, base and salt.
[A plausible distinction between "0" and H20: In pure water, H20, which does
not contain
ionic salts, the electron bond between H and 0 is so strong that electrons
cannot be shared
and electricity cannot flow. In intermolecular water HOH, the exposure to
adjacent
electromagnetically charged cations and anions of salts effectively weakens
the H and 0
electron bond, that in "O" electrons can be shared, and electricity can flow.
(cf., Section
3.4Ø)]
1.1.3. Hydroxy Acid refers to an INORGANIC aqueous acid, in which a complex
anion molecularly
consists of an ion of a Desirable Metal, Intermolecular Water (hydrate), and
hydroxides.
[E.g., H+(Au("O"OH)4)'. Metals, which have chemical bond strength with oxygen,
which is
stronger than the chemical bond strength between hydrogen and oxygen, do not
form
Hydroxy Acids; they form oxyacids, such as, osmic acid, H20s04, titanic acid,
H2TiO4, and
others.]
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1.1.4. Electro-Extraction reduces the ionic metal component of a complex
Hydroxy Acid anion to a
metal, a metal oxide, or a metal hydroxide by means of the alternating
electromagnetic force of
microwaves, and/or an electron transfer at electrodes of an electrolytic cell.
1.2. Background.
An effective method of mining gold is by cyanide leaching. However, the very
word cyanide is
alarming. A more common method of metal mining extraction is by floatation,
which requires great
volumes of water and causes environmental concerns. But floatation focuses
primarily on sulfide
ores and has little application, when the ore is in the format of oxides.
Since in metamorphic rock
(i.e., one third of the earth's crust) the previously existing sulfides were
decomposed by heat and
altered into oxides, many Desirable Metals, which naturally exist as oxides,
are virtually ignored by
prospectors and miners. Furthermore, in re-heated metamorphic rock, gold oxide
is reduced at the
low temperature of 250 degrees Celsius to an infinitely small, atomic
elemental format, for which
floatation is ineffective. Since the mining industry, except for the blast
furnace, has no effective
method of recovery of metals from oxide ores, the mining industry fails to
take advantage of many
mineral and placer oxide resources.
1.3. Technical Problems.
Electro-Extraction offers a solution for the above-stated problems. But the
recovery of Desirable
Metals from a solution of acids is derogatorily identified by some as wet-lab
technology, and was
not taken seriously in the past, because of what seemed to be insurmountable
difficulties: (1) Aqua
Regia not only dissolves Desirable Metals, it also forms a great number of
extremely complex
chemical salts, and generates even more problematic complex oxyacids, such as
osmic and
ruthenic acids, and their respective salts. (2) Chemical extraction and
electro-extraction seemed to
be a virtual impossibility, unless the interfering salts were first
painstakingly eliminated.
1.4. Usefulness Of This Invention.
By changing the molecular configuration of a Desirable Metal from the salt of
a strong inorganic
acid to a Hydroxy Acid, this invention provides effective and environment-
friendly methods of
extracting Desirable Metals from virtually any solution - be it from ore, or
scrap metals. Electro-
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Extraction has many benefits: Liquid by-products of this process may be re-
cycled and re-used.
Ammonium salts may be extracted and be sold as fertilizers, or they may enrich
gangue of ore to
serve as soil supplements. Hydroxide by-products may be harvested for their
metal content.
Whereas, sulfide ore concentrate is usually produced by floatation, and then
shipped to refining
plants, an Electro-Extraction process produces at the mining site Desirable
Metals in an almost
pure elemental state. This offers to the mining industry the option to be
producers of semi-refined
products, rather than being mere providers of raw materials.
2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THREE PREPARATORY PROCEDURES TO ELECTRO-EXTRACTION.
2.1. Dissolution.
The Desirable Metals, which are contained in finely crushed ore, may be
dissolved by leaching in a
mixture of the strong sulfuric, hydrochloric and nitric acids, which may be
diluted by water at a
ratio of ten to one. Preparatory roasting may be required if a high
concentration of sulfides,
particularly gold sulfide, is processed. To dissolve silver in the latter
stages of leaching, selective
leaching may be required, by increasing the content of nitric acid after
neutralizing hydrochloric
acid, in which silver chloride was insoluble. If the ore is rich in magnetic
refractory oxides,
frequently associated with Platinum Group Elements, they may be removed from
the ore by
magnetic separation, electrolytically liquefied by a "Redoxer," and be
prepared for Electro-
Extraction.
2.2. Preparation Of Hydroxy Acids.
Before the separation of liquid aqueous salts from insoluble gangue, the
inventor gradually
neutralized all strong acids by the addition of aqueous ammonium, to a pH
factor of approximately
six. (cf., Formula, Section 3.4.1.) Then the inventor cautiously raised the pH
factor to be slightly
above seven, after which the inventor re-acidified the substance with formic
acid to a pH of slightly
below seven. To recover the silver from the gangue, the formic acid again will
have to be
neutralized with aqueous ammonium, for silver precipitates by the above
addition of formic acid.
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Reasons Being: When a mixture of several acids is neutralized, by the addition
of aqueous
ammonium, then the cation of the neutralizing agent forms salts and
progressively
neutralizes all acids, from the strongest to the weakest until only Hydroxy
Acids are left. At
the transition from an acidic solution to an alkali solution, the Desirable
Metals, which
previously existed as acidic complex aqueous salts of strong acids, become
aqueous
Hydroxy Acids. As Hydroxy Acids, they are chemically separated from molecular
bonding
with other metals; for Hydroxy Acids are molecular structures, which consist
only of one
Desirable Metal, hydrogen, oxygen and possibly with ammonium as a complex of
the
neutralizing agent. As such, the aqueous Hydroxy Acids are subject to Electro-
Extraction.
The inventor used aqueous ammonium instead of potassium or sodium hydroxide,
for the
latter form complex sodium and/or potassium hydroxides, which would re-
introduce base
metals to Hydroxy Acid complexes; also, ammonium dissolves silver and copper
better than
do sodium and/or potassium hydroxides. But this use of ammonium produces
flocculent
ammines of the Platinum Group Elements, which would remain mixed-in with the
gangue,
or hydroxides, if the gangue were not re-acidified with formic acid, in which
ammines of
PGE Desirable Metals re-liquefy as aqueous HydroxyAcids. (cf., Formula,
Section 3.4.3.)
2.3. Separation Of Aqueous Hydroxy Acids From Solid Gangue And Base Metal
Hydroxides.
For experimental purposes the inventor made the solid/liquid separation by
settling, decanting,
filtering, and rinsing. On an industrial scale, vacuum/pressure-assist systems
can be applied
advantageously. As per personal preference, or the kind of metals to be
extracted, a separation of
liquid from gangue may occur before or after the neutralization of strong
acids. A solid liquid
separation of gangue and hydroxy acids may not be required at all, if Electro-
Extraction is done
only by electrolysis, provided that the extract can be recovered. If Electro-
Extraction is done also by
microwaves, a solid liquid separation can hardly be avoided.
3Ø TWO MODES OF ELECTRO-EXTRACTION: MICROWAVES AND ELECTROLYSIS.
Depending on personal preference, the various constituents of ore, and unique
chemical
characteristics of specific groups of metals, which are to be extracted,
Electro-Extraction of
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Desirable Metals may be achieved by: Microwaves and/or Electrolysis. (cf.,
Flowchart Of Various
Procedures.)
3.1Ø Electro-Extraction By Microwaves.
3.1.1. An Observation And Conclusion.
The inventor observed that when iron is submerged in water, it oxidizes and
produces flocculent
hydroxides; when these hydroxides, are subjected to radiation by microwaves,
they are partially
altered into granular particles. The inventor applied this principle of his
discovery to the
precipitation of Desirable Metals. Since microwaves are alternating
electromagnetic forces, they
exert an electromagnetic force on the bond between the dipolar structures of
Intermolecular
Water and hydroxides in Hydroxy Acids. This pulsating alternating force alters
some complex
Hydroxy Acid anions from Format A. to Format B. In Format A., the complex
anion of an aqueous
Hydroxy Acid is composed by its three constituents: the ion of a Desirable
Metal, sub-molecules of
Intermolecular Water and hydroxides. In Format B., the electromagnetic force
of alternating
microwaves exerts a pulsating force on the dipolar sub-molecular structural
relationship between
Intermolecular Water and hydroxides, which, if strong enough, effectively
severs Intermolecular
Water from the complex, and makes the Hydroxy Acid anion anhydrous, as which
hydroxides
precipitate. (cf., Formula, Section 3.4.4.)
3.1.2. Explanatory Note.
Microwave extraction is not equally effective for all anions of Hydroxy Acids,
since the
intermolecular bond strength within the complex anion of Hydroxy Acids varies,
depending on the
unique chemical characteristics of its elemental metal ingredient. Whereas the
Platinum Group
Elements, chromium, cobalt and nickel generally form a relatively strong bond
with oxygen (e.g.,
Pt:(OH)4), such elements may be extracted by a residential-type microwave
oven. But, whereas
copper, silver and gold form a relatively weak bond with oxygen [e.g. below,
Au:(OH)3, 53], copper,
silver, and gold cannot be extracted by a residential-type microwave oven;
they will stay in
solution. This conveniently can be used to separate the Platinum Group
Elements from copper,
silver, and gold, which can subsequently be extracted electrolytically. In the
future, a Hydroxy Acid
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Microwave Extraction system may be refined and further developed, whereby
different metals
may be selectively precipitated by careful calibration, strength, and control
of differing
microwaves. (Order of Desirable Metals in sequence of relative chemical bond
strength with
oxygen: Cr, 102; Ir, 99; Rh, 96; Pt, 93; Pd, 91; Co, 91; Ni, 91; Cu, 64, Zn,
64; Au, 53, Ag, 52, cf.,
Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Tables on Chemical Bond Strengths.)
3.1.3. Cautionary Note.
If intermolecular water, "O", of a Platinum Group Element Hydroxy Acid (e.g.,
H2[Pt(("O")OH)6]) is
dehydrated, the residual anhydrous complex (H2Pt(OH)6) is extremely unstable;
for the hydroxide,
OH", is separated from the cation, H+, only by the very metal, which serves as
a catalyst in combing
hydrogen with oxygen. This creates the potential for spontaneous combustion,
possibly, even an
explosion, if such molecules are in significant amounts and concentrations.
(The public recognition
of this fact may yet provide a scientific explanation and verification for,
heretofore, questionable
accounts of spontaneous combustion, even spontaneous human combustion; cf.,
Section 4.1.2.)
3.2Ø Electra-Extraction By Electrolysis.
3.2.1. Electrolytic Options.
Several options are available, depending on personal preference, the various
constituents
of ore, and unique chemical characteristics of various groups of metals, which
are to be
extracted:
1. Extraction before or after a physical separation of liquid Hydroxy Acids
from solid
gangue, provided that extracts at electrodes are recovered and not re-
assimilated
with the gangue.
2. Extraction from a neutral solution of an electrolyte.
3. Extraction from a slightly alkali electrolyte.
4. Extraction from a slightly acidic electrolyte.
5. Extraction at a negatively charged electrode in a Direct Current circuit.
(cf., Formula,
Section 3.4.5.a.)
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6. Extraction at a positively charged electrode in a Direct Current circuit.
(cf., Formulae,
Section 3.4.5.b.)
7. Extraction at both electrodes in a Direct Current circuit. (cf., Formulae,
Section
3.4.5.c.)
8. Extraction at both electrodes in an Alternating Current circuit (cf.,
Formulae, Section
3.4.5.c.).
9. The applied voltage potential during electrolyses may be excessive and far
greater
than the reduction potential of an element to be reduced, because electro-
extraction is for the purpose of efficient recovery, not cosmetic purposes.
The heat,
so generated by a relatively high voltage and high amperage, can be used to
condense the electrolyte and accelerate electrolysis, to evaporate water for
re-use,
to heat buildings, even air-conditioning - by the use of heat pumps.
3.2.2. Explanatory Notes.
1. To prevent the re-introduction of undesirable interfering base metals at
the
positively charged electrode, the positively charged electrode must be
absolutely
inert (e.g., Pt or Rh). [Note: A positively charged gold electrode is not
inert and will
decompose, even, in formic acid.]
2. The negatively charged electrode may be a base metal, such as copper, or
any other
metal, whichever may have the most advantageous characteristics in subsequent
refining procedures.
3. The positively charged electrode can readily serve as an indicator of
completion.
When no additional deposits occur on this electrode, precious metal Electro-
Extraction by electrolysis may be deemed to be complete.
4. But the above feature does not apply to Desirable Metals like copper and
zinc, for
their oxides re-dissolve in acidic and alkali solutions and, therefore, do not
accumulate, or precipitate at the positively charged electrode.
5. If elements, like copper and zinc are accumulating metallically at a
negatively
charged electrode, and re-dissolve in an acidic or alkali solution, they will
reduce, at
least in part, any element, which has a reduction potential, that is higher
than the
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reduction potential of copper and zinc (e.g., Ag, Au, Pt, et. al.). Therefore
in some
cases, it may be advisable to do Electro-Extraction by electrolysis in a
neutral
solution, a weak acidic, or in basic solution, in whichever the extracted
metal does
not re-dissolve.
6. In consideration of the above, it becomes apparent that Electra-Extraction
by
electrolysis can advantageously be applied by means of an Alternating Current
electric circuit, which in addition to Electro-Extraction by electrolysis
utilizes
extraction of metals also by ion exchange. (An explanation of which would be
too
complicated to include in this disclosure. cf., Section 4.2.2.)
7. When the source of Desirable Metals is ore several metals are involved, and
the
resulting electro-deposits are co-deposits of various Desirable Metals.
3.3Ø Cautionary Notes On Testing And Rinsing Precipitates And Extracts.
3.3.1. Testing.
When extracts of Desirable Metals, their oxides, and hydroxides, particularly
the Platinum Group
Metals, are fused (heat > 1100 C), they transform to an ionic liquid. Liquid
ions combine with
other liquid ions and form an acid-like solution of metals and metal oxides,
in which ionic
components combine according to the laws governing ion exchange. Thus
extremely complex and
refractory anhydrous molecules are formed, which may not re-dissolve in an
aqueous solution of
acids. If gold and Platinum Group Elements, are jointly melted in such
circumstances, particularly if
oxygen is present, an acidic interaction will cause intermetallic and
intermolecular bonding of ions,
and will obscure virtually everything - even gold. Thus collective extracts,
especially if the Platinum
Group Metals are included, cannot be tested accurately by any method, which
requires heat and
firing, especially in air/oxygen (e.g., Fire Assay Method).
3.3.2. Rinsing.
When extracts of Desirable Metals, their oxides, and hydroxides, are rinsed in
acid, they should
never be rinsed in hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acids, for in the preceding
procedures nitric acid
was employed. Whenever nitric acid is employed, there will always be a residue
of nitrate salts.
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When nitrate salts are treated with hydrochloric and/or sulfuric acids,
according to the laws on ion
exchange, nitrates form nitric acid, chlorides and sulfates. Thus, when an
extract, that contains
nitrates, is rinsed with hydrochloric or sulfuric acids, rinsing is not
"rinsing" but effectively re-
dissolution in Aqua Regia.
3.4Ø Formulae, Essential To This Disclosure: Formation And Decomposition Of
Hydroxy Acids.
Symbols Used In Equations Below.
Au* may represent any Desirable Metals.
Fe* may represent any base metal.
HOH represents Intermolecular Water.
[E.g., Platinic chloride is not merely PtCI4r but Pt(HOHxCl)4i where the size
of number "x" is
contingent on the availability of water. When Pt(HOHxCl)4 is heated beyond the
boiling point
of HCl (117 C), the complex decomposes, beginning at its weakest ionic link
(i.e.,
Pt(HO\HCI)4) as 4 HCI4 ' and Pt(OH)4y, which decomposes as R02,, and 2 H20"-]
3.4.1. Generic Formula (not balanced):
(Base metal simple salts) + Fe*[Au*(HOHCI)4]3+ NH4OH -{in H2SO4, HCI, HN03at
pH <6}4
(Base metal simple hydroxides)J, + H2O + (NH4)2SO4 + NH4CI + NH4NO3 +
Fe*[Au*(HOHCI)4]3
aqueous
3.4.2. Formation Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid By The Addition Of Aqueous
Ammonium To A
Solution Of Complex Salts Of Strong Acids:
Fe*(Au*HOH)(CI4)3 + 12 NH4OH 4 Fe*(OH)34. + 12 NH4CI + 3 [Au*HOHx(OH)3) =
H(AU*HOHx_
i(OH)4)]
3.4.3. Formation Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid By The Addition Of Formic Acid To
A Complex Of
Semi-Aqueous Flocculent Ammines (e.g., Platinum Group Elements):
[PGE(NH3)2(OH)4 = PGE(NH3H/OH)2(OH)41 + 2 HHOHXCOOH 4 2 NH4HOHX_4COOH +
H2PGE(HOHOH)6
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3.4.4. Decomposition Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid (Activated by exposure to
microwaves - an
alternating electromagnetic force):
H(AU("O"OH)4) + microwaves - 0 (cf., Section 2.4.2Ø)
H2(Rh("O"/OH)6) + microwaves -4 [H2Rh(H0\"OH)6 = 8 H2O + Rh(OH)4yoiive green]
3.4.5.a. Decomposition Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid (First half reaction,
activated at a negatively
charged electrode):
2 H(AU*"O"x_1(OH)4) + 6 e 4 2x H2O + 2 Au*,,, + [6 (OH)- = 3 H202 + 6 e-)]
3.4.5.b. Decomposition Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid (Second half reaction,
activated at the
positively charged electrode):
2 H(AU*"0"x_1(OH)4) + [3 H202 + 6 e-] 4 2x H2O + Au*203y + 134 02 + 6 H2O
3.4.5.c. Decomposition Of An Aqueous Hydroxy Acid (Combined reactions,
collectively resulting at
positively and negatively charged electrodes):
4 H(AU*HOHx_1(OH)4) 4 4x H2O + 2 Au*4,, + Au*203y + 1%2 02 + 6 H2O
4Ø THE BASIS FOR THIS DISCLOSURE: RECORD OF SPECIFIC AND EXPERIMENTAL
PROCEDURES.
4.1Ø Gold Electro-Extraction, By Exposure to Microwaves, And By
Electrolysis.
On a small nugget of placer gold, the inventor implemented the above
procedures, using a
positively charged platinum electrode, a negatively charged copper electrode,
and D.C. voltage
potential of 5 to 30 volts. (cf., Applicable Sections of 2Ø, and Section
3Ø)
4.1.1. Attempted Gold Electro-Extraction, By Exposure To Microwaves.
When the inventor dissolved gold, and exposed its Hydroxy Acid solution to
microwaves, even after
repeated exposures, no gold hydroxide precipitated. (cf., Section 4.1Ø)
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4.1.2. Gold Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis At A Negatively Charged
Electrode.
The solution (cf., Section 4.1.1.) produced, at a negatively charged copper
electrode, a powdery
black deposit. Next, the inventor scraped the deposit off the electrode,
rinsed said deposit in mild
nitric acid, with water, and with a trace of aqueous potassium hydroxide. He
dried, and fused the
residue by the heat of an oxy-propane torch, which formed microscopic spheres,
encapsulated by a
layer of a ferric-looking substance. Breaking the capsules, rinsing with
nitric acid and water
revealed clearly recognizable spheres of gold.
4.1.3. Gold Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis At A Positively Charged
Electrode.
The solution (cf., Section 4.1.1.) produced at the positively charged platinum
electrode, a powdery
brownish deposit, which, when excessive, flaked off and settled in the
electrolyte. The inventor
continued the electrolytic process until most of the electrolyte's water
content had evaporated by
the heat so generated. Next, the inventor isolated the precipitates from the
solution of the
electrolyte. He rinsed them in water, nitric acid, water, with a trace of
aqueous potassium
hydroxide, and dried them on a hot plate. Microscopic examination of the dried
substance clearly
indicated the presence of gold. The inventor could not fuse the substance, for
when he attempted
to scrape the residue off a glass plate, it exploded. (cf., Section 3.1.3.)
4.2Ø Rhodium Electro-Extraction By Exposure To Microwaves And Electrolyses.
On a small amount of commercial rhodium plating solution, the inventor
implemented the above
procedures. (cf., Applicable Sections of 2Ø and 3Ø)
4.2.1. Rhodium Electro-Extraction By Exposure To Microwaves.
Upon exposing the solution to microwaves of a residential-type microwave oven,
the original
yellow solution immediately changed to an olive green solution and the
produced the olive-green
precipitate of rhodium IV hydroxide.
4.2.2. Various Experiments With Commercial Rhodium Plating Solution.
When the inventor used a portion of said plating solution, an inert platinum
positively charged
electrode, and a copper negatively charged electrode, he successfully plated
metallic rhodium on
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to a negatively charged electrode. When the inventor used the residual
solution of 4.2.1., an inert
platinum positively charged electrode, and a copper negatively charged
electrode, the process,
described in Section 3.2.2.3., indicated that no residual rhodium remained in
said residual solution.
When the inventor used a portion of commercial plating solution, a copper
positively charged
electrode, and a copper negatively charged electrode, he could not plate
metallic rhodium; instead
he produced a slime-like precipitate, which was enriched with copper. But when
the inventor
repeated the previous experiment with iron electrodes and reversed the
polarity of the D.C.
voltage power supply every few seconds, he successfully plated scales of
metallic rhodium on to
both iron electrodes.
4.3Ø Silver Electro-Extraction By Exposure To Microwaves And By
Electrolysis.
The inventor dissolved a small amount of pure silver in nitric acid, and
neutralized the solution with
aqueous ammonium (cf., Applicable Sections of 2Ø, and 3Ø)
4.3.1. Exposure Of Silver, In Solution Of Ammonium, To Microwaves.
Upon exposure to microwaves of a residential-type microwave oven, the aqueous
ammonium
solution of silver, did not decompose and did not precipitate any silver (cf.,
Section 3.1Ø, and
Explanatory Note 3.1.2.).
4.3.2. Silver Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis. (cf., Section 3.2Ø)
The inventor used the filtered residual solution of Section 4.3.1., an inert
platinum positively
charged electrode, a copper negatively charged electrode, and D.C. voltage
potential of
approximately 15 volts. At the negatively charged electrode, loose sponge-like
silver deposited,
part of which the inventor was able to fuse to verify that the deposit was in
fact silver. At the
positively charged electrode a grey precipitate of silver oxide formed, part
of which almost
immediately re-dissolved in the aqueous ammonium. When with formic acid, the
inventor re-
acidified the aqueous ammonium solution of silver, the residual silver in the
solution precipitated
as a murky white cloud.
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4.4Ø Processing Ore, Originating From An Abandoned Gold/Copper Mine.
On 100 grams of ore, the inventor implemented the above described procedures
(cf., Section 2Ø).
Then he applied the above-stated principles of Electro-Extraction By Exposure
To Microwaves
(Section 3.1Ø), and Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis (cf., Section
3.2Ø).
4.4.1. Electro-Extraction By Exposure To Microwaves.
The inventor prepared a slightly alkali solution of Hydroxy Acids and re-
acidified this solution
slightly with formic acid. He exposed this solution for ten minutes to the
microwaves of a
residential-type microwave oven. The greenish yellow solution did not change
in color, and
produced traces of whitish hydroxide-like precipitates, which when separated
from the liquid,
dried, heated on a hot plate, and rinsed, was a brownish powder, insoluble
even in sulfuric acid. It
fused with difficulties in an oxy-propane torch; the fused residue appeared to
be a non-metallic
white/grey glassy substance. (Conclusion: No PGE were in solution.)
4.4.2Ø Electro-Extraction By Electrolyses.
The inventor used the filtered residual solution of Section 4.4.1., an inert
platinum positively
charged electrode, a copper negatively charged electrode, and D.C. voltage
potential of
approximately 15 volts.
4.4.2.1. Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis At A Negatively Charged Electrode.
The Negatively Charged Electrode produced excessive amounts of coppery colored
powder co-
deposit, most of which could be rinsed off by a strong flow of water. Directly
on the metal of the
negatively charged electrode was a firm crusty layer of black. After
accumulating significant
deposits, the inventor removed said deposits on said electrode, treated the
deposits with nitric
acid, fused the residual black powder, treated it with nitric acid, and rinsed
it. The residue
consisted of blackish metallic particles, and clearly identifiable gold.
4.4.2.2. Electro-Extraction By Electrolysis At A Positively Charged Electrode.
The Positively Charged Electrode produced a brownish deposit, most of which
did not adhere to
the electrode, precipitated into the electrolyte and settled. After concluding
the process, the
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inventor decanted the liquid, rinsed the residue with nitric acid, with water,
and fused the residual
black powder, which he again rinsed with nitric acid. The fused residue, like
that of Section 4.4.2.1.,
consisted of blackish metallic particles, and clearly identifiable gold.
4.5Ø Electro-Extraction Of Platinum Group Metals By Electrolysis.
The inventor implemented the above described procedures on ore, which
indicated the presence
of platinum (cf., Section 2Ø, and 3.2Ø). In consideration of platinum, the
inventor prolonged the
leaching process. He separated the solution from gangue, neutralized the
solution with
ammonium, re-acidified it slightly with formic acid, and separated the liquid
from solids. The
inventor used this liquid as electrolyte, in an electrolytic cell, comprising
a 6 to 10 volt, a D.C.
power supply, a platinum positively charged electrode, and a negatively
charged gold electrode.
The positively charged platinum electrode was covered with dark brown oxides.
The deposit on the
negatively charged electrode was a flat grey, metallic, powder-like coating,
which was inert and
insoluble in nitric acid - so unique that the inventor photographed it.
