April 28, 2024, 04:53:47 PM
Forum Rules: Read This Before Posting


« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Topic: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter  (Read 2454 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline rcarbon

  • New Member
  • **
  • Posts: 8
  • Mole Snacks: +0/-1
Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
« on: November 10, 2013, 08:49:41 AM »
whats the best method to evaluate qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
Logged

Offline curiouscat

  • Chemist
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3006
  • Mole Snacks: +121/-35
Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2013, 09:00:05 AM »
ICP maybe?
Logged

Offline Arkcon

  • Retired Staff
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 7367
  • Mole Snacks: +533/-147
Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
« Reply #2 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
Logged
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline curiouscat

  • Chemist
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3006
  • Mole Snacks: +121/-35
Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
« Reply #3 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.
Logged

Offline curiouscat

  • Chemist
  • Sr. Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3006
  • Mole Snacks: +121/-35
Re: Evaluation of qty of precious metals in Catalytic converter
« Reply #4 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.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
Sponsored Links