How to Remove Gold From Computer Parts

Remove gold from the computer parts by dissolving the computer processor in a mixture of chemicals. This process is reputed to leave pure gold at the end of the process and dissolve the rest of the processor in the acid. The difficulty is in getting the chemicals and using it in a safe location.

Things You'll Need

• Processor (or gold leads)
• Nitric acid (up to a 1/4 liter)
• Two beakers made with brominated glass
• Glass rod
• Tweezers
• Distilled water
• Buffer solution (water filled buckets with sodium bicarbonate added until it won't dissolve when mixing)
• Chemistry lab (and all safety equipment including emergency showers and eyewash stations)

Instructions

1. Remove an old processor (or gold plated leads) from a computer that is no longer needed. This is done by unplugging the computer and then opening the case. This may require you to work with the case until it opens or to simply cut the case open. On the motherboard, look for the processor. It should be square with pine sticking out all the way around it. It may be buried underneath a heat sink which you must first remove. Pry out the processor. If you wish to avoid damaging the motherboard, pull the processor straight out without bending the pins.

2. Get a clean beaker made of brominated glass. These glass beakers are carried by scientific supply companies. Make sure that you wash and dry the beaker completely. Place the beaker into the fume hood and turn on the fume hood to vent the (filtered) fumes into a safe location.

3. Have the buffer solution on hand and that you are wearing all of your protective gear (goggles, chemically inert gloves, lab coat, etc). Put the processor into the beaker.

4. Add 50 milliliters of nitric acid to the muriatic acid. Beware of splattering or fumes that may emerge as the acid is added. It may help to guide the stream of acid into the beaker by holding a glass rod across the opening of the mouth of the container where the liquid is being poured into the beaker so that the stream runs down the glass rod. The glass may get hot.

5. Let the acid rest in the beaker with the computer processor (or gold-plated leads). Watch the beaker until the non-gold parts dissolve into the acid by keeping it locked in the fume hood and checking it over the next couple of days. The process will speed up with gentle stirring using a glass rod. You may occasionally add more nitric acid to help the process.

6. Decant (pour off) the solution into another beaker when you are confident that gold is all that is left in the original beaker. Take the "waste" solution (containing the dissolved parts) to the proper site so that you can dispose of it.

7. Use tweezers to remove the gold and put the gold into a bowl of distilled water. Stir to dilute the acid. Dump in your buffer solution to make sure that the acid is diluted in the bowl.

Tips & Warnings

• Follow all federal, state, and local laws. Make sure that you get in contact with a university and agree on a disposal method and have any necessary funds for the chemical disposal ahead of time. Make sure that they allow you to use their lab or that you find another appropriate location for the experiment.

• Use and dispose of the chemicals in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. Do not work without safety goggles, chemically inert gloves, and a lab coat. Work under a fume hood to prevent inhalation of the acid which has damage that may not be immediately noticed but that can prove fatal. Do not contact the acid in any way, shape, or form. Use and dispose of chemicals in accordance with the law. Make sure that you have a buffer solution made of a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate in a volume higher than what your acid. If you get acid on you, immediately dab some of it off it off with a paper towel on your way to rise off the rest of the acid in cold water for 20 minutes. Never work alone and have someone call emergency services for help if there is any sign that the damage is significant. Only do these steps under the direct supervision of a licensed professional chemist (preferably an experienced chemistry professor) who is familiar with lab procedure and the procedure in this article, is ACS certified, and is trained by OSHA. Follow their guidance. Do not add the buffer solution to skin or temperature sensitive surfaces until after the acid has been diluted with water for a prolonged period of time. Mixing anything with a strong acid or base runs the risk of causing a reaction that releases heat or splatters (even the buffer solution which is used to neutralize acid). Make sure that you know how to actually use the emergency shower and eyewash stations and that they work. Do this only in a professional lab. Know and follow all safety procedures in that lab. Do not do this procedure at home.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Recycled Gold From Computer Parts
• eHow Article Recycling Gold
• A Safer Way To Recycle Computers
• How NOT To Recycle Computers
• Another Risky Recycler