Precious Metals Recovery
Why precious metals recovery
Industrial gases for precious metals recovery, melting and treatment
Precious metals recovery requires a multi-stage thermal process: incineration of organic substances, melting, separation and heat treatment of alloys. At every combustion process stage, the atmosphere and process parameters must be managed precisely to maximize production without dispersing precious particulate or oxidizing the molten metal. SIAD has operated in this sector for more than fifty years with dedicated solutions.
Zero dispersion
Recovery of precious particles without dispersion in fumes
Fast
Faster melting with lower heat dispersion
Precise
Finished alloys without oxide inclusions
Almost 100 years in the sector
SIAD has operated in the metallurgical sector since 1927, with experience consolidated over decades of applications in the gold industry. This deep knowledge of precious metals recovery and processing is translated into plant engineering solutions sized to the needs of each individual plant and production process.
Dedicated burners
The oxy-methane and oxy-propane burners developed by SIAD for rotary and crucible furnaces operate at a higher flame temperature than burners using air as the oxidizer. Heat transfer occurs at higher speed and efficiency, with a significantly lower gas volume and consequently lower velocity towards the stack.
Protective atmospheres
Argon and nitrogen used in the melting stage prevent the molten metal from coming into contact with oxygen. Oxidation losses are reduced and the formation of metal oxide inclusions is avoided, which can cause discontinuities, quality loss and defects in the finished product.
Products and services for precious metals recovery
SIAD supplies the full portfolio of gases applicable to the different stages of the cycle: from oxygen to argon, as well as hydrogen and nitrogen. Its deep know-how and broad range of technical solutions enable SIAD to support customers in every production aspect: ash treatment, melting, protective atmospheres and heat treatment. Each solution is sized according to the specific characteristics of the process.
Oxygen, the heart of the thermal process
The use of oxy-fuel burners inside the melting environment generates a higher temperature than air-fuel burners, promoting efficient heat transfer and enabling rapid incineration of organic substances.
Oxy-fuel burners: methane or propane
SIAD burners for rotary or crucible melting furnaces are available in oxy-methane and oxy-propane configurations. The oxygen-fuel mixture generates a higher flame temperature than the air-fuel mixture, with faster process times and reduced gas volumes and velocities. Each burner is designed based on the furnace specifications and the customer’s operating method.
Argon, protection of the molten bath
Used during the melting stage to generate a protective atmosphere. It prevents the alloy from coming into contact with oxygen, reduces oxidation losses and prevents the formation of metal oxide inclusions. The result is a significant improvement in the quality of the finished alloys.
Synthetic atmospheres for heat treatment
Protective atmospheres based on nitrogen and hydrogen or active gases are used in the heat treatment of alloys in the subsequent drawing, rolling or finishing stages. SIAD specialists conduct case-by-case studies to determine the most suitable mixture for the type of furnace, alloy and thermal cycle.
Argon, laboratory and analysis
High-purity argon is required in precious metals companies’ laboratories for ICP systems used to verify the chemical composition of analyzed samples.
Contact us
Do you work in precious metals recovery?
Talk to one of our specialists to analyze your recovery cycle and identify the gases, burners and protective atmospheres best suited to your production process.
Related Applications
Other SIAD applications for metallurgy
Gas solutions and technologies for the different stages of metal processing
