Extraction of Copper

Copper glance or Chalcocite: Chalcopyrites(copper pyrites): Cuprite Malachite Azurite Cu2S Cu2SFe2S3 Cu2O [CuCO3.Cu(OH)2] [2CuCO3.Cu(OH)2]

Extraction of Metallic Copper

1. Concentration of the ore by froth floatation process: Copper pyrites contains only (23)% of copper. The rest of the ore contains iron or sulphide, silica, silicious materials, sulphur, arsenic etc. as impurities. Froth flotation by Xanthate and pine oil. The froth is collected and dried when concentrated ore is obtained which contains 25-30% of Cu. 2. Roasting Cu2S.Fe2S3 + O2 Cu2S + 2FeS + SO2 Cu2S.Fe2S3 + 4O2 Cu2S + 2FeO + 3SO2 2Cu2S + 3O2 2Cu2O + 2SO2 Cu2O + FeS Cu2S + FeO 3. Smelting of the roasted ore in blast furnace: material required 1. Roasted ore 2. Lime stone 3. Coke (used as fuel) 4. Silica (used as flux) 5. Lime stone (used to remove excess silica) Reactions occurring given as follows 2FeS + 3O2 2FeO + 2SO2 Cu2O + FeS Cu2S + FeO FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3 (removed as slag) CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3 (removal as slag) 4. Self reduction in Bessemer Converter Reactions involved are, 2FeS + 3O2 2FeO + 2SO2

FeO + SiO2 FeSiO3 (slag) 2Cu2S + 3O2 2Cu2O + 2SO2 Cu2S + 2O2 Cu2SO4 When 2/3 of the cuprous sulphide is oxiidsed, the balst is stopped. The produced Cu2O and Cu2SO4 are reduced by the rest of cuprous sulphide to produce metallic copper with the evolution of SO2. Cu2S + 2Cu2O 6Cu + SO2 Cu2SO4 + Cu2S 4Cu + 2SO2 As the molten copper cools, it gives off the dissolved of SO2. The SO2 gas escaping in the form of bubbles, leaves the surface of the metal with full of cavities which gives the metal a blistered appearnace. This is why the metal thus obtained is by blister copper. 5. Refining Electrorefining Anode: Impure copper obtained above Cathode: Pure copper Electrolyte: 15% CuSO4 solution + 5% H2SO4 When electric current is passed through the electrolyte, the anodes gradually dissolve and pure copper is deposited on the cathodes which gradually grow in size. The impurities like Fe, Zn, Ni etc., dissolved in the solution as sulphates while gold, silver, platinum settle down below the anode as anode mud. Reactions coming are as follows CuSO4 Cu+2 + SO42

At anode: Cu 2e Cu+2 At cathode: Cu+2 + 2e Cu