Fundamental Studies on Dissolution of Gold in Cyanide Solutions. II : On Equations of Reactions and Effects of Cyanide Strength and other Variables on Dissolution Rate

1. The author believes that Bodlaender\u27s equations express the true reactions occurring in the dissolution of gold and silver in cyanide solution, as he could find, modifying Bodlaender\u27s method, nearly 100 per cent of the theoretical amount of hydrogen peroxide. He also confirms the truth of Elsner\u27s equation which gives the same final products as the sum of Bodlaender\u27s equations. 2. The order of reaction was estimated and the effect of temperature, of rate of agitation, of viscosity of solution and of varied atmosphere were examined, and he concludes that the dissolution of gold may correspond to the case where the velocity of chemical reaction bears comparison with that of diffusion. 3. The maximum rates of dissolution of gold and silver were obtained experimentally with 0, 03 per cent solution of KCN and it was calculated to be 0.025 per cent on the assumption that both cyanide and oxygen molecules must appear at the gold surface in the ratio required by Elsner\u27s equation to make the conditions of dissolving gold most favorable