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.
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.
Tags: fume hood, into beaker, buffer solution, computer processor, nitric acid