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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Silver extraction from waste hypo/fixer solution
Q. Hello sir,
I want to start business of making the silver. I want information about how to get silver from wastewater. A to Z information of process of making silver I want.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
- Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
2003
2003
Q. DEAR READER,
1-How much is the quantity of silver contained in 1000 gm of X-ray film scrap? Can we extract silver profitably from X-ray film scrap? If possible how? What is the market rate of X-ray film scrap per kilogram?
2-please inform us that how we can make GOLD from others materials and chemicals.
3-inform us that how we can make SILVER from others materials and chemicals.
4-inform us that how we can make COPPER from others materials and chemicals.
Please inform us as soon as possible.
Thanks & best regards,
MUHAMMED NASIM- LAHORE, PAKISTAN
2003
Q. Dear Sir/Madam,
I am a radiological technologist in one of Kuwait hospitals, my question is how can I extract silver from scrap (exposed) x-ray films? is "Acid Bromide" useful for this operation?
- Kuwait2003
Q. Hi,
I am a chemistry student and studying electrolysis of silver as part of recovering the silver. I would like to know the electrolyte used in the electrolysis of silver and also the current, electrodes and voltage used. I would also want to know how to store silver after electrolysis.
Thank you,
chemistry Student - Gweru, Midlands, ZimbabweQ. DEAR SIR,
I AM THE STUDENT OF MBA. I AM THINKING TO BE AN SELF EMPLOYED ENTREPRENEUR.IN THIS PURPOSE KINDLY HELP ME TO KNOW THE FOLLOWING POINTS: 1.HOW CAN I PROCURE MACHINE TO EXTRACT SILVER FROM X-RAY WATER FILM. 2.WHO ARE THE DISTRIBUTOR OF THE SAID MACHINE. 3.WHAT IS THE COST OF THE MACHINE. 4.IF POSSIBLE,DETAILED REPORT OF THE PROJECT.
THANK YOU.
NIRAJ SARAFSTIDENT - SILIGURI, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
2003
2003
Q. Dear sir,
I am a student doing btech chemical engineering. Recently I have heard some thing about silver extraction from waste hypo or photographic fixer solution. Sir, I need complete details of the process.i.e
1.raw material
2.its availability
3.its cost
4.chemicals used in the process and its cost
5.equipment and its cost and where can I get them
6.the entire process
7.health hazards
8.economic feasibility.
I will be very thankful to you for this favor.
Thanking you sir, yours truly,
Chembeti Ramesh- Tirupathi
Q. Am planning to start silver extraction plant. But I have some doubts regarding the same. I have read some letters on the same topic and I believe that my problem will be solved by this letter. During the photographic film processing, Silver leaches into the fixer solution (Sodium Thio-Sulphate) from the photographic film and forms Silver Thio-Sulphate complex ions. The fixer is considered exhausted after becoming silver-rich (~ 7 gm/l), as it can no more serve the purpose of fixing the film in effective manner. Such exhausted fixer can then be processed to recover the Silver from it. There are various methods for this. I read about this business in news paper and searched through the literature, internet, etc. and came to know the various techniques of Silver recovery from fixer. But my doubt is that what will be purity of silver after extracted it by electrolysis method. if it is not 99.9% pure, I will not be able to sell it. Further what are the various methods of refining the extracted silver?
Thanks
Hossm- Saad, Egypt
2003
Q. I have four years experience of silver recovery from photographic fixer by simple chemical reaction and now I am interested to start my business in Canada, so please give me a some information like (1) Which kind of Machine generally used for silver recovery (2) Is there any doing extraction by electrolysis method? (3) if they are using different machinery then please give me a idea for buy it and what is the cost of it (4) Give me complete detail for the starting my business.
Thanks,
JAIMIN PATELMfgr - ETOBICOKE, ONTERIO, CANADA
2003
Q. I have gone through web sites and got the information about silver extraction but I still have some doubts in my mind 1 as there are various method of silver extraction which method is actually feasible? chemical recovery or electrolysis method or ion exchange method? 2 in which method we can extract highest amt. of silver & at 99.9% purity level if not what is next refining process? 3 if we undertake the latest technology machines then what will be there speed to extract silver from hypo i.e.extraction of silver from 1 ltr. hypo solution within how much time if talking very bluntly to earn min. 10,000/- p.m. what resources should be employed? What amt. of hypo should we refined daily to earn that much of amt.
Dnyanesh jadhavstudent - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2003
Q. I HAVE ACCESS TO LARGE AMOUNTS OF SILVER BEARING GRAPHIC ARTS FILM...AT THIS TIME I AM EXPERIMENTING WITH STRIPPING THE SILVER.....AT THIS POINT I HAVE USED caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on Amazon [affil link] IT WORKS WELL BUT A REAL PAIN THE SLUDGE IS HARD AND caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on Amazon [affil link] CAN CAUSE SERIOUS BURNS TO UNPROTECTED SKIN. I'M THINKING I'LL USE SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE ( BLEACH ) ⇦ bleach/sodium hypochlorite in bulk on eBay or Amazon [affil links] IT IS NOT EXPENSIVE AND CAN BE BOUGHT AT DOUBLE STRENGTH IN 50 GALLON BARRELS....I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO ANYONE THAT HAS THIS KIND OF BACKYARD BUSINESS...HINTS SUGGESTIONS ETC WILL ALL BE MUCH APPRECIATED
DENNIS ARTERBURNHOBBYIST - WAKE VILLAGE , Texas
2003
Q. I would like to set up a factory of recovering silver from hospital X ray films in iran (with two partners). We have heard about silver recovery from X ray films and would like to know more about it. I don't know the first things about it. There is a lot of x ray films waste in this part of the world. Can you help me please. Is there a handbook of step by step how to do it? can I buy ready made kits? I understand the technology is big in India? can anyone help? anyone interested in selling his expertise? How much is the quantity of silver contained in 1000 gm of X-ray film scrap? Can we extract silver profitably from X-ray film scrap? If possible how? What is the market rate of X-ray film scrap per kilogram?
Sir, I want you to make me clear whether hypo sol. from X-ray labs is dangerous to health if we come in touch with it while extracting silver from it? Please let me know.
Rajesh Krishnan GResearcher - Kollam, Kerala, India
2003
Q. Sir,
Please let me know more details regarding the process and profitability of silver extraction from waste x rays films scans etc,,. LET me the details regarding the availability of machinery and raw materials.
PETER LOBO- MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA
2003
Q. I am interested to know about silver extracting from waste of x-ray etc. Please help me in knowing the source of supplier of machine, its cost and the process (whether it is economical or not) and address of indian representative.
Regards,
Ashuani Kumar- Varanasi, UP, India
2003
Q. I would like to set up a factory of recovering silver from hospital X ray films in K.S.A. We have heard about silver recovery from X ray films and would like to know more about it. I don't know the first things about it. There is a lot of x ray films waste in this part of the world. Can you help me please. Is there a handbook of step by step how to do it? can I buy ready made kits? I understand the technology is big in India? can anyone help? anyone interested in selling his expertise?
Thanking you,
IMDADULLAH KHATRI2003
Q. I need to know more about techniques of silver recovery from photography waste solutions. Easy practical methods, process and so on for home applications.
BENS MED TAHAChemical engineer - BIZERT, TUNISIA
2003
Q. I want to know the answer on how to get SILVER from old Graphics art film. I have a printing company and we have stored piles of film for many years. I was just wanting to know if there was a chemical method or some way I could do this in my workshop at my company myself.
Drew Simpsonhobbyist - North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
2003
Q. How do I extract silver form waste fixture and waste bleach form chemical method
nasir hasan- bhilwara, rajasthan, India
Q. Please can anyone tell me the different chemicals methods to extract silver from waste hypo/fixer solution.
Thanks,
Kajolresearcher - Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2003
A. Hello dear friends,
There are 2 ways of recovering silver from hypo solutions.
1) electrolysis :- current required is about 40 mA, voltage can vary from 72 V to 2 V depending on the concentration. The cathode is a steel plate preferably having a large surface area. (Note : the voltage is to be decreased as concentration of silver decreases or this will lead to deposition of silver sulfide which is black in color, hard to remove from the electrode and slows down the process as well)
The silver deposited can be scraped off and refined again by electrolysis in silver nitrate solution (pure silver rod as cathode and the silver from above process as anode apply voltage of 12 V and current of 200 mA). The silver obtained is 99% pure.
2)metal displacement:- In this the solution is treated with iron wool or zinc dust ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] (recommended). These metals displace silver and silver is obtained as a sludge. This has to be melted, made into a bar and refined by electrolysis in silver nitrate as told above. This process is faster but a bit complicated(u know melting the stuff and all is a pain in the neck!)
If you want to recover silver from films the silver can be leached into some solution and extracted by any of the above two processes.(suggestion :- some film fixer can be used to remove the silver from the film).
Amol- Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
2003
----
Ed. note: Thanks Amol!
Q. Dear Sir,
I am a student of B.Tech in Chemical Engineering under University of Calcutta and am in my final year. I got my project "Recovery of Silver from X-ray plate and photographic waste solution". That's why I am asking for the process of recovery of silver which must be cost-economic and can be carried out in a chemical laboratory. I will be heartily grateful to you if you please send me all the details about the process,chemical reactions involved, eco-friendliness of the process, possibility of further modification etc..in a words all the data required from A to Z. Awaiting an early favorable reply.
Yours sincerely,
Kaushik BoseA student of B.Tech in Chemical Engineering - Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2003
Q. Sir,
I want to know the method for making silver extraction from fixer machine and tell me that how much maximum silver can be extracted from 1 liter waste fixer.
Vikas Singhalstudent - Delhi, India
2004
Q. Presently I am installing systems to recover silver from photographic fix and buying scrap litho and x-ray film. I am looking for the best way for stripping the exposed silver from the film then turning the sludge back into ion for for electro plating back into silver. Any information along these lines would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Dennis C Arterburnhobbyist for now - Wake Village, Texas
2004
Q. I would like to set up a factory of recovering silver from hospital X ray films in K.S.A. We have heard about silver recovery from X ray films and would like to know more about it. I don't know the first things about it. There is a lot of x ray films waste in this part of the world. Can you help me please. Is there a handbook of step by step how to do it? can I buy ready made kits? I understand the technology is big in India? can anyone help?
Please reply soon
Thanks,
Prashant GuptaManager - Jalandhar, Punjab, INDIA
2004
Q. Hi,
I have some question:
1. does any one knows how much silver can I recover in x-ray films, assuming that all the silver halides are converted in silver?
2. how can I coagulate silver in a solution? is there any chemicals that I can add to the solution so that silver will coagulate?
Please help me. I really need any information. I badly need your help. If you can assist me, I would really appreciate your help.
Emeliano |Aron Jr.ChE student - Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Philippines
2004
Q. I would like to recover silver from X ray films that is used on pipes for the control of welding quality. Is there a simple method for it, or does it need an investment. Is it possible to recover AG by electrolytic method, (simply by a cell) I will really appreciate if you can help me on this issue.
Pinar Hasanoglucorrosion engineer - Bursa, Turkey
2004
[...10 repetitive postings deleted...]
Q. I have gone through web sites and got the information about silver extraction but I still have some doubts in my mind 1 as there are various method of silver extraction which method is actually feasible? chemical recovery or electrolysis method or ion exchange method? 2 in which method we can extract highest amt. of silver & at 99.9%purity level if not what is next refining process? 3 if we undertake the latest technology machines then what will be there speed to extract silver from hypo i.e.extraction of silver from 1 ltr. hypo solution within how much time if talking very bluntly to earn min. 10,000/- p.m. what resources should be employed? what amt. of hypo should we refined daily to earn that much of amt.
Riyaz Deshmukh- Riyadh
2004
Q. Can you please send me the details of Silver extraction from Hypo waste.
1.Now the in Studio Hypo is not used. Only digital photo.Source of raw material?
2.Technical know how? i.e how silver extracted from hypo. Chemical reaction and other information.
3.Apart from electrolysis is there any other method to extract silver.
4.Hypo waste is available in long distance. 40 Kms from my work place. Is there any method to separate excess hypo solution or is there any method in increase concentration of hypo so that I can bring small quantity of hypo to my work place. so that I will reduce my transport cost.
Student - Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India
2004
Q. I am a printer primarily but work with film a great deal from litho to poly plates.
I'm looking for a chemical process that will strip exposed litho and x-ray film and turn the exposed silver into and Ag+ ion that can be electro plated back to silver flake. I have been electro plating spent fixer solutions for many years and consider my self very good at this 95% purity. But I know I'm missing lots of silver left in the film and I want that too. Any info or direction to info would be greatly appreciated
Sincerely,
Dennis Arterbutnhobbyist - Wake Village, Texas
2004
2004
Q. I am searching for how to extract silver from photographic waste solution using cheaper chemicals as I am a chemistry student.
Sir,
I used some chemicals for this particular purpose these are as;
1.sodium hydroxide (0.1N),
2.sodium thiosulphate
⇦ this on
eBay
or
Amazon [affil links]
(0.1N),
3.potassium nitrate,
4.sodium carbonate
⇦ this on
eBay or
Amazon]
,
5.borax,
6.hydrogen sulfide gas.
Would I use other chemicals in place of above for particular reaction to extract silver.
Thank you,
student - INDORE, MADHYA PRADESH, INDIAQ. I know how to extract silver from waste fixer chemically but the process is somewhat difficult. I use the following chemicals sodium sulfide, caustic soda ⇦liquid caustic soda in bulk on Amazon [affil link] sodium nitrate ⇦ this on Amazon [affil link] borax soda ash this process finally I get the black powder which is to be melted at high temperature. Is there any other method to extract pure silver chemically without melting the powder. I want the method to extract silver without melting chemically. and we need easy and cheap chemical formula for recovering the silver.
Thanking you,
Nasir Hasanstudent - Bhilwara , Rajasthan, India
2004
Hi readers. Two readers offered help (thanks Jim and Amol!)
Of the 68 people who requested help, many claimed to know some of the answers, yet didn't help others. It can't work this way; people are anxious to hear the parts that you know; that's how you start the dialog! Thanks.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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