When NaSO3 or Na2S2O5 added to a solution of mixed metal ions, this blood red substance drops out, copper will be in the highest concertation of all
there, traces of others. So I think it is a copper salt.
Any one got any ideas what it can be? Did experiment with both NaSO3 and Na2S2O5, both forming it. In future might try bubbling SO2 gas in to
solution of mixed metal ions, to see if the same substance will form. This substance completely prevents recovery of gold, only reagent works with
dirty solutions is FeSO4...
Decomposed sample of it to black oxide, coloring the flame copper green and nitrate of it were green too...
[Edited on 5-12-2023 by Romix]DraconicAcid - 4-12-2023 at 19:16
Depending on the source of your mixture it could also be selenium. I have encountered this when working with copper anode slimes. A little selenium
goes a long way. If its selenium the fine red suspension coagulates to a glassy black foam like slag if boiled.wg48temp9 - 14-12-2023 at 18:04
It could also contain one of the isomorphic series of double sulphites that contain CuII replaced with Fe, Mn, or Cd.
see Attachment: document7.pdf (554kB) This file has been downloaded 87 timesRainwater - 15-12-2023 at 17:19
if your attempting to refine gold , you now know the importance of removing the base metals before
bringing everything into solution.
You can use thermal decomposition to convert these sulfur compounds into oxides,
Then molten lead, zinc, or copper, will reduce the oxides back to metal and your back at the beginning. digga - 16-12-2023 at 08:25