Patent ID: 6165248
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: C22B,G01N,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for evaluating a batch of scrap material of known quantity, subsequent to processing of the batch, to determine the content of at least one precious metal present in the batch prior to processing of the batch, the precious metal including one or more of the metals gold, silver, platinum, palladium and rhodium, the method comprising:introducing a known amount of a tracer into the batch of scrap material of known quantity, prior to processing of the batch;processing the batch of scrap material and the tracer into a homogenous mixture;assaying a sample portion of a prescribed quantity of the homogenous mixture to assess the amount of tracer in the sample portion, and to assess the amount of precious metal in the sample portion; andascertaining the content of the precious metal in the batch of scrap material prior to processing of the batch by applying to the assayed amount of the precious metal a ratio between the known amount of tracer introduced into the batch prior to processing and the assessed amount of tracer in the sample portion.