What does the at home recycler Need to get the Gold off of computer boards, connectors etc?

Question

is there an ez way? Torch? something that is easily accesible in the average home. please tell.....thanks

Answer 1

As the other poster mentions, it requires toxic chemicals, namely highly corrosive acid. It not a pretty process, nor is it easy, or very environmentally friendly, since all of the waste is not very easy to dispose of. If you live in a city, your neighbors will certainly notice the smell, and likely turn you into the police, suspecting you of running a meth lab.

If you google for 'gold recovery' you will find websites dedicated to this sort of thing. Most of them want your money for their kits containing the chemicals and instructions.

To be honest, its probably far more work than its worth. A circuit board, processor or connector does not have very much gold on it - a few hundred milligrams at best. A CPU might have a few dollars worth of the stuff, but the work involved in the entire process, as well as the cleanup and the cost of the chemicals makes such schemes a losing proposition.

IMHO the only people making money from this sort of thing is the people selling the kits.

Answer 2

Dangerous chemicals. Fans and scrubbers to remove the fumes. Respirator to be able to breathe.

And a lawyer to fend off the municipalities when someone calls about the stink.

There is a reason they are called toxic waste.