Alchemy! Part 5 - Cupelling (recovering the gold)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ส.ค. 2018
- Cupelling or Cupellation.
Alchemy!? Well no. I have not yet been able to turn lead into gold. Although the Cupel process sure looks like it. This video series is all about melting, smelting, cupelling, roasting, and fire assays. Equipment, chemicals, processes and flux will all be covered. I will be learning right from the basics so this series should be a good way for the armature gold prospector to learn. I will be using the KK8 and Kwik Kiln 2 smelting and cupelling furnaces provided to me from "911 Metallurgist" and "Gold Processing Kilns" Both links below.
In this video we explore the cupellation process. Cupelling is taking the lead prill made during smelting, and heating it in a pressed bone ash cupel. This cupel will absorb the lead (or at least lead oxide) but will not absorb the precious metals. So in the end you will be left with a bead of gold, silver and platinum sitting in the cupel which is now full of lead.
www.911mpe.com
www.GoldKilns.us
This video is produced by Dan Hurd, Prospector, Miner, Teacher and TH-camr, as part of his TH-cam channel based on educational videos about gold mining, gold panning, prospecting, rock hounding, and mineral collecting.
/ danhurd
Dan, I tried removing silver from gold by heating (1800 degrees) a thin strip of gold alloy containing silver in a bed of table salt. The salt was in a regular crucible. I heated it in an electric kiln for hours. It worked somewhat.
I just love the blink-over.
Turns out gold has a heat of fusion of 67j/g and a specific heat of 129j/(kg*k) so a 1 gram bead could jump in temperature by as much as 519c as it solidifies!
No wonder it blinks!
Very interesting subject matter. Never to old to learn something new. Thank you Dan for amother informative stream.
Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Very awesome video with much better sound and camera angles, which made it much easier to understand what you were doing and when. Can't wait to see these "very special" smelts from start to finish!
Thanks so much for the feedback. I've got to edit those videos still. So much to do.
Fascinating process! Certainly the potential for exposure to lead and mercury. There is a fairly straightforward test to check the level of heavy metals in your blood or urine (which can be back-calculated to blood levels) that you might want to take every year or two if you are doing this often.
I learn something new from every one of your vids. Thank you.
That comment made my day - thanks!
This is the coolest yet of your videos contemplating becoming a patrion very well put together thank-you
Dan you do awesome work. You would have been hard pressed to get rid of me had I had you as a teacher. Big compliments to you on passing on the knowledge you have to the next generations.
Thanks!
So happy to see my money go to good use! I don't have the skills or equipment to do this myself yet, so I'm overjoyed to help provide a few dollars to you to keep making these fantastic videos! Keep it up Dan!
I have not posted the video on patreon yet, but you won the latest gold giveaway to my patrons. Video should go out tonight.
Congrats! Kyle Fogg!
Awesome Dan. ...that flash was somthing to see!thanks for the lessons brother...
Thanks!
Dan! Mate! That was fantastic to watch, have never seen the "blink" before now...bloody excellent!!! 👍
Thanks - it's pretty neat to see
Dan nice blinky and thanks definitely fun to watch looking for any future fun video's!!!
there should be a smelting one on Wednesday
Fascinating! Glad to see you using your PPE. I liked the green text boxes on the bottom of the screen. Keep up the great work! Congrats on the 'golden' results!
Excellent - thanks for the feedback!
Thanks Dan for another GREAT VIDEO! You are awesome!!😎
I know nothing about what you do. But you make your videos fun as well as interesting to watch... Thank you.
Why, thank you
I've watched several like this.
But this was the VERY BEST blink!
I might would highlight those last seconds. In the start of similar vids.
I also like your small, for the purpose size kilm.
Great series ... now know what to expect
Thank You !
Gold to Ya ! !
Excellent video Dan and Dad I have learned a lot from both of you.
Thanks!
Fantastic video Dan! Thank you! Very much enjoyed the science!
Thanks!
Just started re watching the series!
Never seen this process before... awesome!
Thanks - it's really neat when it works!
Informative and exciting. Thanks again Dan!
Thanks!
Never seen that before Dan. Very Cool!!!
Thanks - it was pretty neat to see it actually work!
That was Awesome! Never seen this done before. Supper cool Dan! Not sure why i didn’t see the other videos of it but will be looking. 👍🏼👍🏼
That's probably because the other videos were done in the fall. Big gap in this series!
Thats really cool! Ive always been curious on how it works, thanks for Sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it
Very interesting and educational. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks!
Great video, it was very cupelling... :D I'm going to rewatch this later, I do want to learn how to do all this stuff
The blink was wonderful ;-) I just got back from the local river and posted a video. Got a lot of fine gold just panning I need to find a way to high bank with a manual pump set up. I have only been out 3 or 4 times this year going in hospital tomorrow for a fusion and de compression op on my neck. I know you have some back stuff going on. Great video Dan and Dad.All the best Dave
Thanks - that blink is neat to see. Hope all goes well tomorrow.
Love these father and son vids mate!!!!! I'm excited for the day my son and I can go back and forth like yall do lol
Thanks - I'm lucky that Dad enjoys prospecting with me.
Dan Hurd I'm sorry for being a bit nosy mate but did your father get into prospecting?
My Dad took me prospecting when I was 11 years old so I think he's always been interested in it.
Dan Hurd that's awesome mate! Mine always told me of lost gold mines in our area but we never went. Hes shocked now the hes seen some of the gold from the area in his stories lol. Ok mate I'm sorry for all the replies. I just wanted to let ya know how much I appreciate these vids. Thank you for them
Really cool vid, thanks for sharing some hardcore gold work
Thanks!
Have been watching all your videos since high school videos...gives me a little confidence going forward.. Thank you Sir
I'm glad you are finding them useful!
I liked that flash that was purdy!!
I learnt all about this method when I was studying chemistry at school. It's so awesome to see it in action.
It's pretty amazing to see
Oh those little luscious golden beads at the end!! RAWR!
They sure are pretty!
After I move next year and settle down in my new place I will have to find a place to buy a gold bar.i love gold.i watch all the gold shows on tv and I watch you and your friend on TH-cam.you both are awesome.i watched your video on melting the gold that was cool.maybe next month on my birthday I’ll find a place that can sale me a gold bar.
Awesome video
I feel your pain...more ✨️ can spoil a humble man 😀
Great informative video, thanks
Thank you Dan. I found this video very compelling. 😏😏😏
Nicely done.
That's some nice shinny, good job.!
Thanks!
The blank looked awesome
Good way to start the day. Nice buttons.
Thanks!
That was a true flash for the pan nice video
Thanks!
That was very interesting to watch.
Thanks!
That was pretty cool to watch. Can't wait to see you use the New prospecting filter we just sent you.
Thanks! Can't wait to try it out - got a trip planned for it already
Great video. Dont forget that PPE tho, fumes are no joke. Many stay with you and accumulate in the brain and spine. Be safe and keep having fun!
Yup - we were pretty good about the PPE
Dear Dan's Dad , I understand the abuse you go through as I've raised 7 sons - yes that's right I said 7 , my youngest is 6ft 5 and weighs 360 lbs plus his feet are size 18. Lol.im a whopping 120 lbs and 5 ft 5 .Lol. My son's and I all enjoy each other's company as do you enjoy your times with Dan , and thanks Dan for sharing another awesome video and family moment. Best regards from Lloyd way over here in Ontario.
Thanks Lloyd - you understand then that it is my job to give my Dad a hard time!
Dan Hurd we have to keep our dad in line , at least that's what my boys say.
LOL! >8 D
To get a nice finish on the Bead, put a few drops of Gasoline on it as soon as you take away the Flame. Careful, as it will obviously Flame up.
great work Dan, might want to get welders gauntlets instead of riggers (more insulation)and about as cheap..absolutely fascinating process.thanks.
Good suggestion
Great vid Dan
Thanks
thats super cool Dan thank you for the great video as always, learning lots from you :)::
Thanks - glad the hear you found it useful
Thank you sir, we appreciate you!
Thanks Dan great video. I wonder if you could use Oxy-Acetylene instead with a torch directly on the cupel?
Awesome video. Awesome gold!
The educational aspects of the videos always keep me hooked.
Ok sounds good. Looking forward to it.
Another great vid from Z Best! ... For better (and controllable) audio quality, I simultaneously record an audio file using my phone (for my voice overs) and then merge (and control the vid audio) in editing. ... Not Rocket Surgery ... but it works. ... just match the audio peaks ... works like a damn!
Great suggestion!
Great video Dan . Poor man's aqua regia . Save your money brother. And get a cleaner gold return . Best wishes
Very nice good job Thanks
Amazing!!
When I was training to do composite fiber work (think fiberglass and the like) we were required to shave in order to get a proper seal on our respirators, granted you're working in an open and ventilated area a perfect seal might not be as important but you still run the risk of potential exposure with a full beard.
Just something to consider in the long run.
That was a compelling video! Haha hmm mmm. I'll just stand over in the corner now.
Ouch! It's okay, my wife has been making this same joke while I made the video.
I was referencing the similar spelling to cupelling, but my humor is why I need to go stand in the corner and ponder why life has thrown me a curve ball.
I loved the video and no disrespect was intended in the making of these comments.
Doom Punk You are my kind of nincompoop ; D I may have said the same had you not beat me to it!
Insolent Stickleback, Thanks for clarifying how to spell nincompoop, There are certain bucket list people have . I can check that word off the list of " Wonderous words of mystery and are they spelled like they sound" Thanks again!
thank for the info... learned so much... thank you dan...
Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Thanks, very interesting.
Heloo Another quality video from the ginger gold ninja👍🏻😆
Why thank you!
That was AWESOME
Thanks!
Very cool!
Dan, I have given this a great deal of thought and have decided, as much as it will also cause ME problems to offer my help and take some of the surplus gold from you. NO, there is no need to thank me, I do it knowing that I am helping you out of a sticky situation. (oh yeah, plus I can make my daughters wedding bands!!) :D
Ha! Thank you for making such sacrifices!
Lol, how can you refuse! It is for daughters!
Great video,I enjoy it:)
Thanks for taking the time to watch!
Wow this is real interesting, somewhat more sophisticated than our potato method of extracting gold.
Hey Dan, great video, thanks.
It would be interesting to do a scratch test to see what carat your finished product is. Keep up the good work.
A bead left from a cupel has ALL the precious metals from the original ore in it. So if your ore was high in Silver, the bead will be high in silver. These were mostly gold, however one of my next beads will have a high silver content. If you have platinum metals in the mix they will also be left behind in the bead.
@@Danhurd How do you get the silver and PGMs out? I thought a fire assay told you how much gold there is.
It almost looks like you're in Montana. That would be awesome!
I'd love to go back to Montana - we had a lot of fun sapphire hunting when we were there last time.
Dan Hurd oh yea next week I'm going to the 1 in phillipsburg. Just getting some dirt to have fun at home lol
that "flash" was pretty neat
I thought so too
Outstanding video Dan... The flash/blink is just too cool I have seen this before when melting placer into a bead. When this occurs does it still have what ever other metals that may be present such as silver or copper or is it 100% pure ?
Hi dan Ed Poteet here. Very interesting process. I’ve just started prospecting and detecting a year or so ago. Have found small amounts of gold. When I get enough I think I’ll leave the smelting to someone else. I really liked the video thanks
thanks!
Cool stuff...
Thanks!
1,680th 👍
Still haven't done this yet but getting up enough gold to where some of it needs.....adjustment.
As usual, (even your old videos😉)
are as informative as you can get. It's like, your a teacher or something. 🤔😉
Dan, the alchemy series is fantastic. One thing I saw was you and your Dad were constantly stepping over the propane line for the smelter, which is a disaster waiting to happen. Not being critical, just pointing out a potential problem for your safety.
Oh, good suggestion!
I really enjoy your videos. Interesting stuff. Would like to see you melt the gold ball into a gold bar. I started panning gold paydirt 2years ago with the intention of making a 1ounce gold bar I am now ready to melt my gold to make my 2nd 1 ounce gold bar. I love this stuff. Dan Carey from Georgia.
I plan on doing this during the winter when prospecting slows down.
Love this!
Thanks!
Amazing!!!
Thanks!
Can u cuppel carat gold or is it just for raw gold? That flash was awesome to see. Just want to know if it can be done with carat gold or just assay or raw gold
Really enjoyed your video. The flash was awesome. Beautiful gold balls. Is this process the reason I find a lot of lead around the old smelters that were here? Would there be precious metals mixed in the lead? Thanks for the very informative video.
Hmm. Very good question. It's quite possible that that's what that lead was used for.
form as a Collector of all when you do cupellation all basemetal absorb by cupel and give you the bead with Au n Ag or PGMs. Next Separation or Parting.
That was cool.
Thanks!
Amazing video! But I don't understand one thing, if you have gold silver and platinum together in the gold bead, how do you separate each one?
the wifes kitchen tongs dads mirror of his truck what next lol good video dan
Shhhh. I'm hoping she won't notice.
Pan, tongs, my Tupperware...and I am sure there's other things that I just haven't noticed missing.
haha true prospector if yous are ever up the quesnel way prospecting ill go out with yas
I am trying this process with a able top forge hat I had on hand. I have a few questions. When you make he pril what is the ratio of gold to lead? How long should it take>
Good video sir thanku
Does the gold always come out shiny at the end? I did my first cupellation and it came out looking black, I scuffed the metal, but it looks like a very dark rose gold. It was some old jewelry, like 10k,and a gold thimble, any of your knowledgeable feed back will be much appreciated. Thank you
That fiber board lining is really taking a beating from the high velocity flames and the vapors . How many firings do you get maybe 50 before the fiber board liner gets two thin?
I know this is a bit older but I'm trying this with portland cement and it dont seem to be soaking up the lead. It's making weird colors on top but just not soaking up
Nice !!!!!
Yes gold is isn't it!
cool video :)
Thanks!
About that hiss. My torch woks much hotter when it is almost quiet. The air holes on the tourch are sucking air. If you had reserve unburned Fuel then you could get more heat. but when you are adding air beyond your fuel....you are cooling down. But at least There is air a plenty to cupel. I believe you will find it heats faster without all the air. The blast can overwelm the heat. Turning down the blast or air is sometimes hotter. How long did it take to cupel fully?
Do they make larger cupels to refine larger amounts
Hey man. How do you dispose of the spent cupels?
right on, nice lookin beads.
Thanks! It's rewarding when they turn out perfectly
Dan,
What causes the "blink" at the end? My guess would be the enough lead is gone that the melting point is now above the furnace temperature, so the gold solidifies and gives off a burst of heat in the process?
Right on the money.
...so perhaps the ones that don't blink are above the melting temperature of the alloy of precious metals. Either the furnace is running hot or there is sliver, etc alloyed in the gold to reduce its melting point?
It's going to be something along those lines for sure
How long did it take to evaporate the lead in this video?
Hey Dan was your father a big influence with you being a Gold Prospector and Miner? That flash/bink was a thing of beauty and the first time I have seen anything like it. :)
Dad took me out gold panning when I was about 11 years old. That is what got me started.
@@Danhurd My Pa is gone now and I miss him. Cherish your Dad! He seems like a great guy. Thanks for your videos!
@@Jason1975ism I agree, jealous though
@@Danhurd Dan, Your dad is a bit scatterbrained and absent minded, excactly like me (Not in this video, but in the ones leading up to this one)! I find myself better off working alone, because if anyone's around, I don't focus well enough. I was lucky, that when I was a high tech contractor for the phone company & for Military Industrial Complex, many years ago, that I had a girl assistant, who would check in with me by phone each day and stop by once a week to make sure, that I wasn't going off on a tangent or that I wasn't letting things pile up or otherwise making things unsafe in the lab. That arrangement seemed to work well for me.
In my retirement, I enjoy bass fishing and watching videos such as yours. Kindest regards to your father. Now, I don't feel so alone. I'm glad, that I'm not the only one!
I love watching cupelling. It is so fascinating. Hey, Dan, do you ever recycle the lead from your cupels? That's rather interesting, too.
Completely different note: my phone does weird things when I go to comment. Sometimes it is the original formula, and other times, like now, it switches to a new one where I always have to manually capitalize everything. Yet when I look at my comments it's always the old way, which I like. Anyone know why?
I just subscribed to your TH-cam channel.
Thank you!