Unlocking the Secrets of Gold Recovery: A Comprehensive Guide to IC Chip Ashing Method

 

Gold recovery from IC chips is a process that has been gaining popularity due to the increasing demand for precious metals. IC chips, also known as integrated circuits, contain a small amount of gold that can be extracted through various methods. One of these methods is the ashing method, which involves burning the IC chips and then washing the ash powder to extract the gold.

To begin the process, the IC chips are placed in a metal container and burned with a gas torch until they turn white. Burning the chips removes any plastic or other non-metallic parts, leaving behind powdery ash. The ash is then ground into a fine powder using a grinder or ball mill grinder. It is important to ensure that the gold wires of the IC do not allow water to flow through the ash during the washing process.

Next, the fine ash powder is washed with clean water five to six times to remove any impurities. The ash powder is placed in a container, and water is added to it. The mixture is then stirred, and the container is left undisturbed for some time. Due to gravity, the heavy metal of the IC will settle to the bottom of the container. The water is then poured out slowly, being careful not to disturb the sediment at the bottom. This process is repeated several times until the ash powder is well-washed.

After the ash powder is thoroughly washed, the gold can be recovered by refining the gold wires of the IC chip using the aqua regia process. Aqua regia is a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid that can dissolve gold. The gold wires of the IC chip are placed in a beaker or container, and a certain amount of aqua regia is added. The mixture is stirred, and the gold wires will dissolve in about an hour.

The aqua regia solution is then filtered through a funnel into a conical flask to remove any impurities. The filtered solution is then carefully neutralized with urea fertilizer to prevent any further reaction. It is important to add the urea slowly and carefully to prevent the solution from overflowing. A catch pan can be placed in the bottom of the beaker or container as a precaution.

Once the solution is neutralized, sodium metabisulphite is added to it slowly to precipitate the gold sediment. The mixture is then stirred and left overnight. The next day, the gold sediment will have accumulated under the solution at the bottom of the container. The sediment can be filtered onto lab-grade filter paper and washed with clean water four to five times to remove any acidic residue.

Finally, the gold sediment is melted at a temperature of 1066 degrees to obtain metallic gold. The melting process should be done carefully to prevent any accidents. Once the gold has melted, it can be poured into a mold to form the desired shape.

In conclusion, the process of gold recovery from IC chips ashing method is a simple and effective way to extract gold from electronic waste. It is important to follow proper safety procedures and equipment during the process to prevent any accidents or exposure to harmful fumes. Additionally, the process should only be attempted by experienced individuals who have knowledge of the proper techniques and equipment. Overall, gold recovery from IC chips is a worthwhile endeavor for those looking to obtain precious metals from electronic waste.