How Are Platinum Group Metals Extracted From Catalytic Converters?

1. Article4: Globalrefininggroup.com How Are Platinum Group Metals Extracted From Catalytic Converters? The work of the catalytic converter installed in your car is to ensure that the exhaust gases created by its engine are such that they cause the least possible harm to the environment. It does so by converting the poisonous hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions from internal combustion engines into less harmful and polluting carbon dioxide and water. The device uses platinum group metals to act as catalysts in this chemical reaction. When catalytic converters begin to malfunction and have reached the end of their life, it is important that the car owner ensures that they are disposed off in the right manner. Not only will this help him/her in making some extra money from selling the device but will also help contribute towards the betterment of the environment. Catalytic converter smelting companies are in the business of buying scrap devices at reasonable prices, extracting residual precious metals from the device and using any remaining useable materials in the best and most economical manner possible. This article will explain how platinum is extracted from scrap devices. # Extracting the converter The first step is to carefully and completely remove the scrap catalytic converter in question from the vehicle it is installed in. In most cases, this device is bolted to the car structure with the help of threaded bolts. A simple socket wrench is all you will need to loosen and remove all the nuts and bolts to extract the converter from the car. You can also use a cutting torch to get the device out in case you are running short of time. # Extracting the catalyst Platinum, which is used as a catalyst accelerant material inside most modern catalytic converters, serves as coating on top of the main catalyst elements. The elements that ignite incoming exhaust gases, pass through a catalytic converter, look like chunks of burnt charcoal. These catalyst pieces become white-hot in response to incoming exhaust gases, are coated with platinum to speed up the rate at which they heat up and burn exhaust gases. The process of extracting the catalyst pieces is simple – the converter is turned over length-wise and pounded with a blunt instrument till the residual pieces fall off. # Extracting the platinum coating This metal appears in a silvery bronze color, can be found located on each piece of catalyst that has been extracted above. The metal has to be peeled off from each individual piece – a process that requires utmost care and precision. In case you are running a makeshift extraction facility, this peeling process can easily be managed either by hand or with the help of the flat head of a screwdriver. Professional extraction companies use specialist equipment to manage this process with finesse and accuracy. After completion of this extraction process, the platinum is then refined further and can be re-used for other uses and purposes. In case you are looking for more information about smelting catalytic converters, all you need to do is visit Globalrefininggroup.com ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom Blake is an expert in recycling catalytic converters who also likes to write many interesting articles and blogs, helping people in understanding the process and the many advantages that stem from it. In the US, he recommends Globalrefininggroup.com as the most trusted specialist for this job.