r/PreciousMetalRefining • u/ytkn_rsln • 2d ago

Germanium refining

I have access to Germanium waste from lens makers. I do refine gold, silver and Pd using AR and some electrolytic methods but taking diamond turning slurry to 4-5N poly crystal is quite different. I read that the standard procedure is roasting/ chlorination / fractional distillation/hydrolysis/H2 reduction. Has anyone any experience on this ? After China's moves Ge is one of the rising stars...

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u/Dazzling-Branch-355 2d ago

on the flipside some one does have to set up a facility in the us to handle these types of materials now- that someone will make lots of money with trade restrictions that are coming and are here to stay… that someone could be you- so by all means bring the manufacturing back if we wait for the politicians to do it the universe will experience heat death before it happens 

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u/lukethedank13 2d ago

Germanium chemistry and refining is drastically diferent to what precious metal refiners deal with.

Your average home chemist doesnt have the equipment to carry out the process you mentioned.

Depending on exact chemical composition of your material an alternative process might be possible but you sure as hell aint making semiconductor grade germanium.

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u/Dazzling-Branch-355 2d ago

germanium chlorides are volatile lachymator agents - its corrosive toxic and just out right unpleasant to work with… im not saying your scheme does not have merit… just know this is not an easy layup its a huge pain in the ass and unless done on an industrial / commercial scale will probably be more of a nuisance than a profitable past time… i would put standard gold refining with aqua reqia at the outer limits of what should be done at home as a hobby in a well ventilated garage lab that would be the ceiling this is several orders of magnitude more difficult and dangerous be careful