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Mercury retort (Practical Action Technical Brief)
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=== Process === Wrap the amalgam into small balls with a piece of paper (the foil from a cigarette packet is ideal). This will help prevent the gold from sticking to the distilling chamber under heat. Note: Wear rubber gloves whenever you are handling mercury to avoid contact with the skin. Place the wrapped amalgam in the plug (2d) and screw tightly. Seal all the joints with wet clay or mud. This will prevent mercury gases escaping into the atmosphere during the heating process. Prepare the source of heat, normally charcoal (an oxy-acetylene torch can also be used). Secure the retort on a stand that places the distilling chamber directly over the source of heat. At the discharge end, place a glass of water, with the cloth "tube" connected at the end of the pipe submerged (Figure 1). Use bellows to increase heat. Continue applying the bellows until the distilling chamber is red hot or bubbles stop coming out of the discharge end. This part of the process normally takes about 5 to ten minutes. Remove source of heat and allow the retort to cool down using a wet cloth or water, but taking care to keep the "cloth tube" connected at the end of the pipe submerged in water to avoid mercury gas from escaping. With the retort vertically with the discharge end still submerged in the water (as Figure 6), tap the pipe with a stick to dislodge any mercury still in the pipe. Remove the retort from the water and cover the discharge end immediately with the wooden stopper. Allow the distilling chamber to cool first before proceeding to remove the gold. Unscrew the plug and remove the gold. Screw the plug back immediately and remember to keep the retort fitted tightly together at all times after use, as some of the mercury will remain trapped. Transfer the recovered mercury to a proper container. To prevent evaporation of mercury while being stored, put a layer of water over the mercury. Store the container and the retort safely, out of sunlight, away from heat and out of reach of children.
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