Other Definitions
cupellation (dict)
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CupellationCupellation is a process used to separate noble metals such as gold or silver from base metals such as lead. It is often used to assay gold in order to test its purity. Sometimes cupellation is called "fire assaying." An alloy consisting of both noble and base metals is placed in a shallow porous dish. The dish is then heated with a draught of air passing above it. The base metal is oxidized and absorbed into the "cupel" leaving just the base metal behind. References "Concise Science Dictionary" 1997 Oxford University Press, New York
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