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Recycling of Platinum Spark Plugs

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    bigzim started this thread.
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    Recycling of Platinum Spark Plugs

    Good day everyone,

    Does anyone have an effective economical way of extracting platinum from spark plugs or is it simply processed as general scrap metal?

    Thanks

    Bigzim



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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    According to some of the reading I was doing on Google, it take 80 average to make a gram of Platinum if it's not burnt off already. For the acids used (money wise) it would take a truck bed full to pay for the materials. Kind of like spitting in the wind.

    There are two parts of the spark plug that make it valuable auto scrap. The shell, this is the bottom portion of the plug that gets screwed into the engine block. The stud, this is the top of the old plug.

    Unless you have platinum scrap spark plugs, both the shell and stud are made of nickel plated steel. The center of the old spark plug has no auto scrap value because it is ceramic. You can break it away, from the other metals.
    Last edited by Mechanic688; 07-08-2014 at 04:42 PM. Reason: added info
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    Platinum melts at over 3000F, its probably still on the contact. Problem is getting it off and getting enough to make it worthwhile. Time and labor would be more expensive than the chemicals used to refine it. You might as well piss into the wind
    I won't be wronged. I won't be insulted. I won't be laid a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them.” John Wayne-- The Shootist

    NEWBS READ THIS THREAD ABOUT REFINING!!!!
    http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/off-t...ning-read.html

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    Mechanic688's Avatar
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    You might as well piss into the wind
    Well, I was a little more polite about it,,,hehe

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    I usually just throw mine in with my shredder steel. But I rarely come across any.

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    BRASSCATCHER's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mechanic688 View Post
    Well, I was a little more polite about it,,,hehe
    Oops thought i was answering another thread

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  13. #8
    bigzim started this thread.
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    Thanks for the rreply everyone. What I have heard is the platinum typically remaining on the plug can represent around 15 cents per plug. So if a method of extraction is developed
    it may result in some worthwhile revenue. If you can get 1 million spark plugs that would represent 150 K revenue. Your comments would be appreciated?

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    There are ways to get the platinum but this is not the forum for these discussions. On another forum a question similar to uours was asked and answered. I do not recall any monetary numbers as far as how much platinum would be recovered. I would think that it would vary depending on how long the spark plug was in use. From what I know about the refining of platinum you would not see a profit as your money would be tied up in labor and chemicals getting to the platinum. Not to mention where you would get 1 million spark plugs that use platinum.

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    bigzim started this thread.
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    Thank you for your response. I will look on another thread. Apparently extracting the platinum can be done fast 5 seconds per plug. thechallenge is the logistics on pick up etc.
    avarage price has to be established depending on spark pug usage etc. Any other info would be much appreciated and I will share as well

  16. #11
    bigzim started this thread.
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    Brasscatcher. Which forum was the that?

    thanks

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    Gold Refining Forum.com • View topic - An idea for recovering platinum from spark plugs.

    Heres the linq. Its at goldrefiningforum.com

    If you decide to sign up it's a wealth of information like here at SMF. BUT do not start asking questions right away. Use the search box to find what you are looking for first. Oh and if a guy named Harold V answers your question and seems a bit gruff DO NOT get on his bad side, he doesnt entertain nonsense and will drop the ban hammer. Good luck!

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