Catalytic converter refining process 

Catalytic converter refineries collect catalytic converters and put them through a process of separating their precious metals and refining them. Precious metal refineries gain these catalytic converts through scrap yards or individuals that have collected them. 

When the precious metal refinery receives the catalytic converter, it is graded. The precious metal is then removed from the converter and the catalytic converters are de-canned and crushed into a powder. 

After the precious metals are removed from the catalytic converter and processed, they can be sampled and the concentration of precious metals will be fully determined. This will help assign the value of the catalytic converter, and the refinery can accurately pay the individuals that gave the converter. Though the metals in a catalytic converter can vary, the three most important metals in a catalytic converter are rhodium, platinum and palladium.

Catalytic converter smelters 

Smelting the catalytic converters is where the true purification process begins. Smelting is the process of exposing precious metals to extreme heat, usually with a furnace, to separate the precious metals from impurities. 

To smelt metals from products like a catalytic converter, many use the pyrometallurgical process. This process has a high recovery rate and transforms the physical and chemical properties of the material. This transformation separates the precious metals so that they can be extracted. 

This is just the first extraction process to take place. The metals still have materials and impurities that hinder the quality of the metal. There are many ways of conducting the second purification process. It can be done by dissolution, solvent extraction, and selective precipitation. Whichever way the final extraction process is completed, it brings the metal to its purest form. 

Once the metals are fully purified, they are almost ready to be reused. The precious metals can then be melted and reshaped in whatever form necessary. Precious metal refineries usually shape precious metals into bars or bullions for easy shipment to manufacturers. 

Catalytic converter prices 

Many choose to give their catalytic converters to precious metal refineries so that they can be paid in return. Catalytic converters indeed have worth that can be extracted, and it is important to recycle them, but the average amount it is worth has yet to be determined. 

Catalytic converters are all made differently depending on the make and model of the car, and what year they were made. This means that the precious metal content inside is always fluctuating. Looking up the cost of catalytic converts brings an array of prices. Depending on the type of converter, it's worth can range from $10 to $500. 

The fluctuating manufacturing of catalytic converters makes it very difficult to have an estimate of the product’s worth. The payment from recycling catalytic converters could only be determined if there were 100 of the same catalytic converts that could be analyzed and processed accurately. This would give enough information to determine that specific amount of converter’s worth. Because this situation is quite a rarity, catalytic converters prices will be ever-changing. 

Importance of catalytic refineries 

Those that collect catalytic converters and can extract the part from old cars may want to extract the metal from the converter as well. This may seem feasible as catalytic converters are unassuming when undisturbed. When the converter is opened and exposed to air, however, it becomes hazardous waste. 

There are also many passageways and housings one must understand to extract the metal from the converter. The metal inside the catalytic converter is not pure, either. The precious metal will still need to be sent to a refinery so that it can be purified and reused. 

This is why catalytic refineries are crucial. They have the equipment, processes, and training necessary to handle the hazards of catalytic converters. They are dedicated to recycling the catalytic converters safely and can easily send the refined metal out into the world to be reused.  

Catalytic refineries environmental impact 

Precious metals are a non-renewable resource that is extracted from the earth. Mining the precious metals ore is labor-intensive and uses a mass amount of energy. Extraction is the culprit of high amounts of carbon emissions and has adverse effects on the environment. 

Manufacturers have become dependent on precious metals as they are used for cell phones, computers, cars, and many more daily products. The scarcity of precious metals is becoming more problematic, making the recycling of precious metals crucial. 

Precious metals can be recycled endlessly without losing their quality or worth. This makes recycling precious metals the next best metal resource and reduces the need for extraction. Recycling products like catalytic converters is especially important as it holds platinum. There are very few platinum deposits in the world, and refining virgin platinum is a difficult process. Recycling products with platinum have a great impact on the need for extraction. 

When precious metals are recycled, it not only helps meet the demand of precious metals, it reduces waste in landfills. Unused products that hold precious metals can be useful once again by reducing waste and carbon emissions from extraction.  

Searching for ‘catalytic converter refinery near me’ 

Many precious metal refineries accept catalytic converters. If you are looking to recycle a catalytic converter, a precious metal refinery may travel to you and retrieve the catalytic converter. This is if the precious metal refinery is in your area and if you would like to forfeit some of the returned payment for this service. 

Precious metal refineries may not accept a low number of catalytic converters to be shipped to them. A precious metal refinery may have a minimum requirement for accepting catalytic converter shipments. If an individual or a company meets this minimum requirement, they can ship their catalytic converters to the precious metal refinery and have a positive contribution to the environmental impact of refineries. 

Majestic Corporation has been a leading precious metals recycling, non-ferrous metals and Catalytic converter provider for around three decades. With a presence in the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Italy, Mexico, Australia, Hong Kong and more, as well as a network of precious metals refineries around the world, we work with major customers and partners in a transparent and discrete manner and only offer the highest quality services at competitive prices. 

Contact us here for more information.