I have tried the AL/HG a couple times with no success yet... typically the product separates from the sludge looking pink to red with no activity whatsoever. I'd like to try the dripping in idea but how are you keeping the aluminum from becoming non reactive as it sits there in air. I see you call to drop 30mls of water in but that won't cover the aluminum that is amalgamated and it doesn't take long for it to become unreactive. I have had this happen and the reaction just flat out stops. How are you keeping the reaction going?
- By G.Patton
That is typical result of overoxidation and overheating during acidification procedure.
You can don't wash your Al/Hg by water and carry out reaction directly there.
You can don't wash your Al/Hg by water and carry out reaction directly there.
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- By waltjr5858
It's not the product that was pink or red it's the alcohol solution after adding the base waiting for layers to separate.
- By waltjr5858
So just to double check because I'm going to try this way due to severe inconsistency the regular way.after the aluminum is amalgamated it gets rinsed right? At that point what do you do to keep the amalgam from being oxidized? Your instructions say to add water before dripping but that small amount doesn't sem like enough to keep the aluminum covered to prevent oxidation and the aluminum from becoming inactive. After rinsing out the mercury what do we fully cover the aluminum with to keep it ready to react?
- By waltjr5858
Ok I will try that too but in the original instructions put up how is that kept from oxidation? And now if not rising when using 2g to 20ml of nitric acid to make Merc ii nitrate what ratio of that to aluminum is used? Too much and it eats the Al fast and too little and nothing happens? Doing it this way when is the right time to start dripping?
