How Do You Refine Pyrite? A Comprehensive Guide
Pyrite, often called “fool’s gold” due to its metallic luster and pale brass-yellow hue, is a fascinating mineral with various uses. While it may not be the real deal, it plays a crucial role in certain processes, particularly within the context of the popular game No Man’s Sky. Let’s delve into the methods of refining pyrite, both in the game and in real-world applications.
Refining Pyrite in No Man’s Sky
In No Man’s Sky, refining pyrite is a straightforward process using a Refiner. Here’s a breakdown of the methods available:
Simple Refining
The most basic way to refine pyrite is by using the following recipe:
- Gold x1 → Pyrite x1 (“Metal Restructuring”, 0.24 sec./unit output)
This method allows you to convert one unit of Gold into one unit of Pyrite. It’s the most efficient single-ingredient method, especially if you have a good supply of gold.
Advanced Recipes for Pyrite
There are also other, more complex recipes to craft pyrite using the refiner in No Man’s Sky. These include:
- Cactus Flesh x2 + Uranium x2 + Ferrite Dust x1 → Pyrite x1 (“Environmental Element Transfer”, 0.36 sec./unit output)
- Uranium x2 + Pure Ferrite x1 → Pyrite x1 (“Environmental Element Transfer”, 0.36 sec./unit output)
These recipes require multiple ingredients to produce one unit of pyrite but allow for greater flexibility in sourcing and management of your resources.
Using the Refiner
To refine pyrite in No Man’s Sky, you need a Refiner. Here’s how to use it:
- Access the Refiner: You can interact with the refiner to open the refining interface.
- Select the Recipe: Choose the desired recipe to create pyrite based on the available resources.
- Add the ingredients: Manually add the required ingredients by clicking on them from the inventory screen.
- Start Refining: Activate the Refiner and wait for the process to complete.
- Collect Your Pyrite: Retrieve your freshly refined pyrite from the output slot.
Refining Pyrite in Real Life: Beyond the Game
While the term “refining” in the real world might differ from the game’s simplicity, it is worth discussing how you would deal with pyrite in an industrial setting. There are various scientific processes to consider.
Chemical and Electrochemical Methods
Real-world “refining” of pyrite often involves solubilization or separating it from other materials. Pyrite can be dissolved using specific chemical processes:
- Electrochemical oxidation and reduction: Pyrite can be solubilized using methods like electrochemical oxidation and reduction in a deep eutectic solvent (DES), such as Ethaline (a mixture of choline chloride and ethylene glycol).
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant capable of dissolving pyrite through oxidation.
- Nitric Acid: Nitric acid, while needing some heat to initiate the reaction, can dissolve pyrite. This process releases toxic nitrogen dioxide fumes.
Extraction of Gold from Pyrite
One of the significant areas where pyrite is of interest is in the extraction of gold.
- Pyrite as an Indicator: Pyrite often forms under similar conditions as gold. The presence of pyrite in the area can be a good indicator of possible gold deposits.
- Gold Inclusions: Gold may occur as inclusions within the pyrite mineral. In some cases, these inclusions can be significant enough to mine.
- Separation of Gold from Pyrite: Processes such as smelting, and washing with nitric acid have been used in the past.
Pyrite and Other Elements
Pyrite has a high iron content, hence, has been traditionally used as iron ore. Due to its chemical nature, pyrite is a source of sulfur, which results in sulfur dioxide when burned. This has resulted in pyrite being a major cause of acid rain due to its interaction with water.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does pyrite refine into in No Man’s Sky?
In No Man’s Sky, pyrite can be refined into Ferrite Dust and Paraffinium. These materials are used in other recipes in the game.
2. Can I get gold from iron pyrite?
While pyrite itself isn’t gold, it can be a good way to find real gold. The two often form together, with gold sometimes present as inclusions within pyrite. This gold can be extracted with further processes.
3. How do you extract gold from pyrite in the real world?
Gold extraction from pyrite typically involves smelting, followed by processes using molten lead and a furnace, to separate the gold. Alternatively, you can separate the gold using a washing process and the use of nitric acid.
4. Can you refine materials automatically in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, items can be refined automatically by dropping them directly on the refiner icon if the refiner has fuel. You can also manually select the refiner and refine by choosing from available recipes.
5. What is the Medium Refiner in No Man’s Sky used for?
A Medium Refiner can refine two items into another, such as using Pyrite and Oxygen to create Cactus Flesh.
6. How do you refine carbon in No Man’s Sky?
Carbon can be refined from Cactus Flesh using a Refiner: Cactus Flesh x1 → Carbon x2 (“Burn Plantlife”, 0.12 sec./unit output)
7. Does pyrite stick to a magnet?
Yes, iron pyrite will stick to a magnet due to its high iron content, unlike gold which is not magnetic.
8. Can hydrogen peroxide dissolve pyrite?
Yes, hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant and can dissolve pyrite through oxidation.
9. What happens when pyrite is mixed with water?
Pyrite reacts with water and dissolved molecular oxygen to form sulfate and iron oxyhydroxides, contributing to acid mine drainage.
10. What happens when pyrite is heated?
At high temperatures, pyrite decomposes into pyrrhotite, which can then oxidize further. Burning pyrite also results in sulfur dioxide release which contributes to acid rain formation.
11. Does muriatic acid dissolve pyrite?
Muriatic acid (HCl) does not typically dissolve pyrite.
12. Will nitric acid dissolve pyrite?
Yes, nitric acid can dissolve pyrite, though it might require heat to initiate the reaction, releasing toxic nitrogen dioxide fumes.
13. How can you separate pyrite from sand?
Pyrite can be separated from sand by placing the mixture in water and swirling to allow the less-dense sand to be carried away, leaving the denser pyrite behind.
14. What is “invisible gold” in pyrite?
“Invisible gold” refers to gold atoms integrated into the pyrite’s structure, sub-microscopic gold nanoparticles within the pyrite, or chemisorption complexes of gold.
15. What percentage of pyrite can be gold?
Some pyrites can contain 0.25% gold by weight or more. While it’s a tiny fraction, the value of gold makes these pyrites worthwhile for mining.
By understanding both in-game and real-world methods, you can better appreciate the nuances of pyrite and its significance. Whether you’re an explorer in No Man’s Sky or a curious science enthusiast, pyrite holds its own in the world of minerals.