Is it possible to utilize the Pt/Pd beads in Cat Converters for electro-chemistry? How do I extract these beads? Is it possible to differintiate the Pt from the Pd from the Rhodium beads? How would one go about cleaning them off?

Sincerley

Nephew Status

You can probably use them, after isolating each individual metal. The only way I can think of to do that is a multi acid process. Nitric acid will extract out the rhodium and most everything else (other than pd and pt). Aqua Regia will extract the palladium, along with anything the nitric missed. And to my rather limited knowledge nothing will touch the platinum. Check a chemistry book on isolatin and extractin noble metals (the name of this group of metals). Not sure that the aqua regia wont dissolve the platinum, but i dont think so.

Hey Sparkel--Swirh can shed some light on this subject... Converters vary by manufacturer but most use layers of different metals so each bead would be a conglomerate of metals.. However.. Some converters are designed with a sole palladium coat and some are made with one end (usually the outlet--the one towards the rear of vehicle) made of rhodium only and the inlet (hmmmm) comprised of platinum/palladium mix. Hond-a uses some of this latter type of coating so maybe a search for a patent on the technology would help. All three primary precious metals plus the others..(in Swirh's experience--the platinum is a nasty babyshit yellow...) can be dissolved in a strong nitric acid. Nasty nasty nasty stuff though. And how much contaminates old converters (used) would be mind boggling (specially if they were faulty and had plugged up). There are also all the other metals used in conjuction that would have to be accounted for strontium, neodium, AL, some FE, several different metals.. As far as cleaning/extracting IHNFC. Your guess as good as mine. U might end up spending much much time on this rather than coughing up the money for virgin or fab metal... But where there is a will there is a way... Hope this helps..

P.S. Sparkel... Swirh is in no way asserting that he is an authority/expert on jack. Just trying to pass along info if Swirh has it to pass. Much more qualified people that Swirh might give you a better answer than Swirh. Just trying to help tho..

[This message has been edited by RedHorse (edited 06-21-2003).]

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Yes you could get lead that way, but it isnt the best. If you live near a coast or big lake, try to find a yatch club. Here in florida they all pretty much have the same curbside decoration, rope strung between posts and white painted bumps. These bumb look like an upside down mixing bowl or dog dish. Actually these things are ballast from boats, and are made of lead. Steal some of these. Each one weighs around fifty pounds so have a car, you certainly arent taking it anywhere on foot, especially not multiple ballasts.