Apparatus and method for recovering precious metals, such as platinum, rhodium, gold, silver, etc., from contaminated cement

(22) 06.02.2022

(43) 11.08.2022

(57) Apparatus and method for recovering precious metals from contaminated cement, comprising, in order of process, a crusher, in which a cement-metal conglomerate is placed, a sieve, a dis-penser, a first container, suitable for collecting the metal on the bottom through the action of a magnetic stirrer, an expander, a second container, a drainage tank, and a sieve. The present invention relates in particular to the recovery of precious metal from the batch of cement contaminated by precious metals, such as platinum, rhodium, gold, or silver. In the production of glass fibers for reinforcement, dies made of an alloy of precious metals, in particular platinum and rhodium, are used. These dies are supported by a special cement structure. During the months of production life of the die, part of the precious metal diffuses into the cement on account of the high temperatures. Given the value of the metals, it is economically advantageous to recover them from the supporting cement at each change of the die.

(71) Mercurio S.M., Milano (IT)