Not many people know that gold can be mined at home. No, we are not talking about rings and chains. And about ordinary radio components, of which there can be a huge variety in every home. Old faulty phones, laptops and other equipment can become a source for gold mining. True, it is not so easy to obtain precious metal from these parts.
Radio components
general information
You don't have to be a professional physicist to understand how to get gold from radio components at home. By following the appropriate guide, you can extract a certain amount of gold literally from improvised means and materials. But before that, it is important to study the general principle of the process and theoretical information.
First of all, you need to figure out where the precious metals are contained and find a way to remove them. By the way, both silver and gold are used in radio mechanics and are present on the surface of many radio components. Due to the characteristics of silver's high electrical conductivity and lower degree of electrical resistance, most manufacturers choose gold. This is also explained by the increased oxidation period, which makes the part durable and reliable.
Leading brands from foreign countries always use gold to coat microcircuits, but this does not mean that it is not present in domestic products. On the contrary, in Soviet times such material was much cheaper than it is now; accordingly, there was more of it in household parts.
Separation of gold plating from radio components using electrolysis
In a porcelain or glass heat-resistant container with a lid, prepare a solution of 1 liter of distilled water and 50 grams of potassium cyanide. Plates made of iron or silver are suitable for the role of the oxidizer (cathode).
Pre-cleaned gold-plated radio components are hung onto another reducing electrode (anode) and lowered into a container with a solution. After this, the DC supply is turned on - 12-15 V. During the reaction, you cannot open the lid, because the fumes released are toxic. The gold will settle on the cathode in the form of a thin film that needs to be scraped off the plate.
Sources of precious metals
When trying to figure out how to extract gold from microcircuits at home, you should review the contents of the old mezzanines and get out all the “junk” from there.
Experts say that the precious material may be present in the following devices :
- TVs.
- Electrical appliances.
- Radios.
- Tape recorders.
You can look for precious metal in a variety of items that are lying around in the garage or an old sideboard. So, first of all you need to pay attention to the following details :
- Transistors that have a special crystal and gold-plated conductor. As a rule, these are transistors of the KT series (101, 103, 117, 603).
- Microcircuits that were coated with gold by galvanic means, that is, under the influence of electric current.
- Connectors from the times of the Soviet Union also have a gold coating, several microns thick.
- Radio tubes. Such details contain not only gold, but also silver, platinum and tantalum. To study the composition of a specific element, you can enter the code in the corresponding line with the decoding or explore old literature.
- D series semiconductors, LEDs, thyristors and other items of this type.
- Capacitors.
- Modern SIM cards. And although the precious metal content in such a product is quite insignificant, in a few years you can collect quite a decent amount of gold.
- Old wristwatch of the elite series. Most Soviet watches were plated with gold.
- Details of modern computers. You can extract any amount of gold from computer components, such as the processor, motherboard connector and others. The older the computer, the more precious metals it will contain.
Radio components in which precious metal can be found
How are deposits discovered? Gold miners begin developing a territory when at least 1 gram of precious metal is found in a ton of rock. Searching for precious metal in radio components is a completely different matter. Thus, one microcircuit of yellow metal can contain from 1 to 5%. It also covers the leads of the part, which are enclosed in a ceramic housing. In transistors, the percentage of gold is slightly smaller - from 0.2 to 1%. A substrate is also made from it, which is located under the conductor.
The absolute record in the category “gold content in radio components” belongs to capacitors. The size of this device corresponds to the scale of a 3-liter jar, and one such part can contain up to 8 grams of gold. Also, about 50 grams of silver can be found in capacitors. But there is one nuance here - such expensive capacitors were used only in military equipment, which is currently quite difficult to find.
Capacitors are most “rich” in yellow metal.
A small amount of precious metal is contained in radio tubes - it is deposited on a grid, which is located next to the cathode. The latter, when the lamp is operating, heats the grid, which, under the influence of thermal energy, begins to release electrons, which leads to disruption of the functionality of the device. This is precisely why gold plating is needed, which prevents the part from overheating. Gold plating can also be found on the legs of lighting fixtures, but this applies exclusively to old-style mechanisms and devices.
Extraction methods
Gold in radio components cannot be contained in its pure form. Instead, it is combined with other metals and alloys, forcing curious enthusiasts to separate it from unnecessary impurities and additives.
Currently, there are many ways to obtain gold from radio components, which allow you to get the precious metal at home. However, before deciding on such an undertaking, you need to weigh the pros and cons, since the process itself can be too labor-intensive and even dangerous for human health.
The most common way to extract gold from radio components without acid is to use aqua regia. This composition consists of different proportions of nitric and hydrochloric acids in a ratio of 3 to 1.
With the help of such a miracle acid, a wide variety of metals can be separated, therefore, before using it in real conditions, you need to evaluate all possible risks in case of errors during the experiment. Given the aggressive nature of the substance, glassware should be used for the upcoming work. The resulting liquid is heated on an electric stove, and then a suitable radio component is placed in it, which is first cleaned of dirt or plastic elements.
To treat 1 g of metal, you should use about 3 ml of the product. Under the influence of high temperatures, the metals will begin to melt, and the liquid will acquire a bright green color, which will be explained by the dissolution of the remaining raw materials.
After this, the second process will begin - the removal of gold that has dissolved in the liquid. In this case, you need to use 0.5% hydroquinone, which is mixed in water at a ratio of 5 g per 100 ml. The composition is dissolved in acid, maintaining the proportion of 1 ml of solution per 100 ml of acid.
At the bottom of the container there will be sediment containing precious metal. The unnecessary solution is removed, and the sedimentary residues are dried and evaporated. An ingot should be smelted from the resulting powder, for which you can use a heating crucible or drills, which will prevent the formation of an oxide film on the metal surface.
Removing gilding with electrolyte and ammonium nitrate
To prepare a solution that will help remove gold plating from radio components, you will need an electrolyte for car radiators and ammonium nitrate.
Sell radio components
A small hole of 3-5 mm is made in the lid of a half-liter nylon mayonnaise container and 200 to 300 ml of electrolyte is poured into the jar. Then add 100 grams of saltpeter and gently stir the mixture until the saltpeter dissolves.
Gold-plated parts weighing no more than 100 grams are immersed in the solution and covered with a lid with a hole, after which the container is heated in a water bath in a pan of boiling water and then the solution is continued to boil.
Due to the chemical reaction that has begun, hissing will begin and a brown gas will begin to be released through the lid. After this, the bucket with the solution can be removed from the pan of boiling water and cooled.
The result of this procedure will be gold plating that floats to the surface in the form of films. Using a cloth folded several times, the solution, previously diluted with water, is filtered, and the resulting gold particles are dried.
Withdrawal without heating
There are other gold mining methods that do not require such dangerous manipulations with hot toxic liquid. However, they require much more time and effort and take approximately 7 days. During this period of time, the precious metal will be completely cleansed of unnecessary impurities. All that remains is to pass it through a special filter, usually paper, and treat it with methyl alcohol. The sediment should be further dried and melted into an ingot.
There are other methods of extracting precious metals, but they are very complex and also unsafe. To obtain gold, the following methods and available means are used :
- Electrolysis.
- Sulfuric acid.
- Hydrochloric acid.
But even the most effective methods do not guarantee complete purification of the metal from trace elements and alloys, so ideal purity cannot be achieved. Nevertheless, based on the sample, the resulting precious metal will be of very high quality. To finally solve the problem with the presence of impurities in the composition of the feedstock, it is necessary to refining gold from radio components. This procedure involves deeper and finer cleaning of the material to achieve almost perfect cleanliness.
Legality and conditions for extracting gold from old equipment for the purpose of making a profit on the basis of 41-FZ
The law states that activities for processing scrap and waste of precious metals are subject to licensing in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation.
Individual entrepreneurs and legal entities have the right to buy and process the remains of precious metals if they have a certificate from the Assay Office.
If you try to sell metal that you yourself obtained from radio components to buyers, you may face criminal liability. It is illegal to mine precious metals from gold-containing elements without permission.
Gold-containing radio components
Punishment according to the Code of Administrative Offenses
Illegal mining may result in an administrative fine. Article 15.44 of the Code of Administrative Offenses states: the fine will be one or one and a half times the cost of the materials that are the subject of the offense.
Subtleties of refining
Modern technologies are so developed that with their help you can carry out a wide variety of actions and achieve excellent results. As an example, we can take refining production, which allows you to effectively process various precious metals, purifying them from unnecessary impurities and additives.
The following objects may be subject to refining::
- Jewelry in the form of scrap.
- Concentrated metals.
- Scrap gold.
- Metal waste.
The process itself is a series of specific actions that are intended to produce high-quality gold. The complex consists of several stages of purification, which make it possible to completely rid the precious metal of third-party components, giving it the highest quality and appearance. The procedure is carried out using two methods :
- Chemical.
- Electrolytic.
The first option involves the use of special compounds and is actively used in jewelry companies. Many enthusiasts have successfully purified gold from waste using chemical methods and in their home workshop. The main thing is to follow the basic rules and not allow exposed parts of the body to come into contact with a dangerous substance.
To implement chemical refining, you should use a special solution of ferrous sulfate or ferrous sulfate, which are diluted in water in a certain proportion. Jewelers can also use a liquid called aqua regia, which effectively removes impurities from gold. You can even use regular hydrogen peroxide for cleaning.
Let's sum it up
It is interesting that specialists involved in the home processing of raw materials of precious metals are always surprised by the amount of old radio equipment preserved by the population .
Some pieces of equipment with transistor and even antique tube designs have remained operational. Such radios and vinyl record players often become antiques.
When working with precious metals, it is important to know and comply with legal requirements . For this and for technical reasons, it is best to carry out this activity in contact with a registered recycling organization. Such an organization will always help in fulfilling legal requirements, in the correct application of technology and in the safe sale of the resulting metal.
Danger of chemical processes
If you want to start melting old radio components and microcircuits in order to process them into precious metal, you need to understand that any interaction with acids can be accompanied by unpleasant consequences. Depending on the method used, the procedure itself can last for a long period of time. If we talk about “regia vodka,” that is, the refining of metals, then this requires at least six hours of hard work.
During this process, too much nitrogen is released, so this action should be carried out in a closed area with good ventilation. During the procedure, the windows must be opened for free circulation of air flows.
Just one breath of poisoned air can seriously harm your health and lead to painful death. Unfortunately, the process of poisoning of internal organs occurs too quickly, so doctors simply do not have time to provide the victim with the necessary assistance.
After the first cleaning with aqua regia, small flakes with a brown tint should appear on the surface. Unfortunately, the quality of such raw materials is not entirely high, but if repeated cleaning with acids is applied, it will increase significantly.
It should be noted that in Soviet times, gold was almost always combined with copper. But isolating such metal and carrying out the removal process is not entirely simple. This may take several hours. The effort expended is justified by the fact that the final product is obtained in almost pure form - 999 purity.
How to extract gold from radio components?
Essentially, the mechanism for extracting gold is etching. As a result of this process, all metals that interact with nitric acid dissolve. Only gold remains, since it is less affected by the reagent. After completing this process, you only need to drain the gold foil.
Nitric acid releases steam after opening the container. This speaks of its unlost properties. It is better to carry out the entire etching process in an aluminum pan. This metal is not susceptible to the action of concentrated nitric acid. There should be no microcracks or scratches. In order to speed up the entire process, nitric acid can be heated, but not higher than 60-70°C. This must be done extremely carefully.
In addition to temperature effects, the speed of the process is affected by the capacity and amount of acid. It is desirable that the metals in the pan come into contact with each other, and the acid covers the metal 3 times. Bubbles form during the reaction. It is better to use a tall pan, because heated acid actively promotes the breakdown of metals into nitrates. The consequence of this is an increase in the fluid level, and then its sharp decline.
The board is thoroughly cleaned of fasteners and placed in an etching solution.
Preparation for the etching stage should include actions related to the removal of all unnecessary elements: fasteners, housings, metal parts present on the microcircuits. Especially plastic parts. The purity of the solution depends on this. Third-party elements will contaminate the solution. And it will have to be updated. If etching does not remove all the metal, it can be removed using a magnet.
After the parts placed in the aqua regia solution have been etched, noble metal settles to the bottom of the pan. But it is not the finished gold that settles, but its smallest particles. You can't see him at this moment. Therefore, it is necessary to add hydrazine (in the state of white powder) to the “regia vodka” at a rate of 1:5. It is odorless and completely safe.
As a result of the addition of hydrazine, the brownish mass and rust begin to peel off. In fact, this metal is gold, but it is still very dirty and has a low standard. Dirty gold can again be dissolved in aqua regia. The cycle is repeated 3-4 times.
Benefits of home gold mining
There are many thematic articles and forums that talk about effective methods of making money from home gold mining. And although initially such an idea may seem pointless, given the poor economic situation in the country, even such an activity can become a good source of additional income.
For the upcoming startup you only need a few components, namely :
- Corresponding parts and microcircuits.
- Chemical compositions.
- Diligence and desire to work hard.
The effort expended can be justified by the high cost of gold, which almost never sags in price and is a stable currency. Naturally, it is not advisable to place too high rates on gold mining at home. First, you need to make sure that such a field of activity can be promising in a particular region, weigh the many pros and cons, and also consult with professionals.
You also need to understand that the purchase of precious metals is carried out only by officially registered companies that have the appropriate licenses. Regular scrap buyers will not be willing to pay an adequate price for homemade gold.
In addition, refining and refining of precious metals is permitted only in large specialized companies that are regulated by government agencies. Without obtaining official permits, such activities will be illegal. And if the laws are not followed, a curious enthusiast can receive a serious fine, as well as be subject to sanctions and lose all collected equipment.
In any case, we must not forget that in home workshops and old mezzanines there are many expensive things that can be of real value. Some of them are right under your nose, but few people know about their value. And in order to learn how to extract precious metal from supposedly unnecessary garbage, you should carefully consider the existing methods of such gold mining, familiarize yourself with the general principle and all the pitfalls, and also correctly perform all the steps from the instructions.
Catalogs of radio components and passports for equipment as sources of information about the content of valuable metals
You can find out whether there is gold in radio components by studying the technical data sheet. The directory, among other information, contains the composition and release date of the product. Now such catalogs are available for free download, most often they are presented in the form of tables.
Most often, the precious metal can be found inside Soviet radio components. It was used to cover the pins of microcircuits, connectors, grids of radio tubes, and substrates for conductors inside transistors.
Among modern technology, solar metal is less common; it is usually replaced by tungsten.
As for USSR technology, the precious metal content inside microcircuits can reach 5%. Most of the gold metal comes from old army equipment; the Soviet Union never saved on this industry.
List of modern devices with gold
Compared with Soviet technology, modern devices contain much less gold metal. However, there are electronic devices that are in no way inferior in these indicators to technology from the times of the USSR.
For example, the popular HP Laser Jet laser printer contains about a gram of precious metal per composition.
Among the modern devices that are interesting from the point of view of gold mining:
Microcircuits
Solar metal is found in almost all microcircuits. It will be present as gold-plated leads, the number of which is equal to 1/3 of the mass of the microcircuit.
List of radio equipment and gold-containing elements installed before 1985-1986
Soviet electronics produced before 1985-1986 deserve special attention. Such devices contain the maximum amount of precious metal, so there is no need to rush to part with old equipment from the USSR era.
Many devices, such as televisions, tape recorders, radios, contain gold “filling”.
RB-3 Radio components
The list of gold-containing parts of radio equipment will be as follows:
- Transistors. A large content of precious metal is found in the KT101, KT103, KT117, KT603, KT613 series, its main concentration is under the crystal or on the legs.
- Connectors. They are covered with the thinnest layers of solar metal.
- Radio tubes. The models GMI-11, 12P17L, 6V1P are especially different. Radio tubes, in addition to gold, may contain platinum, silver, tantalum, and palladium.
- Semiconductors. A little precious metal is contained in diodes, light-emitting diodes, and zener diodes.
- Capacitors. They contain the largest volume of solar metal.
- Wrist watch. The body of the product was sometimes covered with gold.
- Computer parts. Gold-containing parts can be part of processors, connectors, etc.
The older the Soviet product, the more valuable materials may be inside. The metal used in radio components is 999 fine. The thickness of gold surfacing on radio components is extremely small and is measured in microns.
