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Chemistry Forums for Students => Analytical Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: rcarbon on November 10, 2013, 08:49:41 AM

Title: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Post by: rcarbon on November 10, 2013, 08:49:41 AM

whats the best method to evaluate qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter

Title: Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Post by: curiouscat on November 10, 2013, 09:00:05 AM

ICP maybe?

Title: Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Post by: Arkcon on November 10, 2013, 09:36:28 AM

Check with the manufacturer?  Seriously, this is a porous ceramic with a trace coating of platinum family elements for catalyzing reactions.  When a car is junked, the labor cost of retrieving the catalytic converter is, AFAIK, dwarfed by what the converter manufacturer will pay for its return.  You're unlikely to get a ring's worth of free metal out of a dozen of them 'tho.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_total_amount_of_platinum_in_a_typical_catalytic_converter

Title: Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Post by: curiouscat on November 10, 2013, 09:52:29 AM

$100 to $200 of precious metal per converter is tempting, if you can figure out how to get it out for cheap, of course.

Title: Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Post by: curiouscat on November 10, 2013, 09:59:57 AM

Good overview of a part of the process done professionally:

http://youtu.be/rJVlDvh3koA

I agree with Arkcon. Looks hard as a DIY project.

The video shows how they analyse metal content. Not sure what that instrument is. but my hunch is an ICP.