Extracting gold from computer parts seems to be a trend. Old computers still have some value. It may appear as trash, but others see it as a gold mine. It can be profitable and at the same time, risky for your heath.
Prepare your materials and protective gear. You will need at least 3 glass beakers, 1 glass rod, nitric acid, glass cover, filter, steel tweezers, distilled water and sodium bicarbonate. Wear a mask, a lab coat, protective eye wear and gloves that are meant to protect you from acids and chemicals. Of course, have your computer parts ready with you.
Look for a safe location to do the procedure. A chemical lab is the best place to do this since the equipment you need may be readily available. The table in most labs is made of ceramic tiles, which is safe. Water sinks and shower heads are also within the area should you have an accident and need to immediately wash off chemicals from your skin or eyes.
Place the computer parts in the glass beaker and pour in the chemical solution. Once you extract the computer parts, clean it with any dry wash cloth to remove all the dust. You may also use a brush to reach through the pines and small parts. The beaker should be at least 3 inches taller than the computer part when placed inside. Slowly pour in the nitric acid until the computer part is completely submerged. Use the glass rod to guide the nitric acid into the glass beaker to avoid any spatters.
Cover the glass beaker and observe it for a few days. Immediately cover the glass beaker with a glass cover. Make sure it is secure and away from children’s reach. Label the beaker properly to make sure no one else touches it and place it where it cannot be easily toppled over. You may add more nitric acid in the next few days to speed up the process. The liquid should turn slightly blue.
Pour the liquid into another glass beaker over a filter. The metal parts will dissolve with the acid and eventually all that should remain are the tiny gold parts. In another glass beaker, place the filter on top and pour in the liquid from the first beaker. The filter should catch the gold. Use your steel tweezers to transfer the gold into the third glass beaker.
Rinse the remaining gold in distilled water with sodium bicarbonate. The third glass beaker should have distilled water with the sodium bicarbonate mixed into it. Keep adding sodium bicarbonate into the distilled water until it can no longer be dissolved. When this is ready, you can start putting in the gold parts to rinse it. This will remove all the remaining acids. Let it stay in the mixture for at least 30 minutes and discard the liquid mixture in the proper place. Place the gold on a white cloth and let it dry.
Now that you have the gold, the next you need is to find a buyer or to mold it any way you want. If you have enough computer parts that have gold, this should be a worthwhile endeavor. However, know that it can be risky and may affect your health. Too much exposure to chemicals can increase your toxicity and lead level in your body.
Prepare your materials and protective gear. You will need at least 3 glass beakers, 1 glass rod, nitric acid, glass cover, filter, steel tweezers, distilled water and sodium bicarbonate. Wear a mask, a lab coat, protective eye wear and gloves that are meant to protect you from acids and chemicals. Of course, have your computer parts ready with you.
Look for a safe location to do the procedure. A chemical lab is the best place to do this since the equipment you need may be readily available. The table in most labs is made of ceramic tiles, which is safe. Water sinks and shower heads are also within the area should you have an accident and need to immediately wash off chemicals from your skin or eyes.
Place the computer parts in the glass beaker and pour in the chemical solution. Once you extract the computer parts, clean it with any dry wash cloth to remove all the dust. You may also use a brush to reach through the pines and small parts. The beaker should be at least 3 inches taller than the computer part when placed inside. Slowly pour in the nitric acid until the computer part is completely submerged. Use the glass rod to guide the nitric acid into the glass beaker to avoid any spatters.
Cover the glass beaker and observe it for a few days. Immediately cover the glass beaker with a glass cover. Make sure it is secure and away from children’s reach. Label the beaker properly to make sure no one else touches it and place it where it cannot be easily toppled over. You may add more nitric acid in the next few days to speed up the process. The liquid should turn slightly blue.
Pour the liquid into another glass beaker over a filter. The metal parts will dissolve with the acid and eventually all that should remain are the tiny gold parts. In another glass beaker, place the filter on top and pour in the liquid from the first beaker. The filter should catch the gold. Use your steel tweezers to transfer the gold into the third glass beaker.
Rinse the remaining gold in distilled water with sodium bicarbonate. The third glass beaker should have distilled water with the sodium bicarbonate mixed into it. Keep adding sodium bicarbonate into the distilled water until it can no longer be dissolved. When this is ready, you can start putting in the gold parts to rinse it. This will remove all the remaining acids. Let it stay in the mixture for at least 30 minutes and discard the liquid mixture in the proper place. Place the gold on a white cloth and let it dry.
Now that you have the gold, the next you need is to find a buyer or to mold it any way you want. If you have enough computer parts that have gold, this should be a worthwhile endeavor. However, know that it can be risky and may affect your health. Too much exposure to chemicals can increase your toxicity and lead level in your body.
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