Unit: 6:- General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements REVISION

1. Describe the principle controlling each of the following processes:

a) Hydraulic washing: This is based on the differences in gravities of the ore and the gangue particles.
b) Magnetic separation: This is based on differences in magnetic properties of the ore Components. If either the
ore or the gangue (one of these two) is capable of being attracted by a magnetic field, then such separations are
carried out (e.g., in case of iron ores.
c) Froth floatation method of concentration of a sulphide ore. : This method of concentration of ore is based
upon the principle that the surface of sulphide get preferably wetted with oil.
d) Leaching: This method consists of treating the powdered ore with suitable ore with a suitable reagent which
can selectively dissolve the ore but not impurities.
e) Liquation: This method is based on principle that the melting point of the metal to be purified should be lower
than that of each of the impurities associated with the metal.
f) Distillation :This is very useful for low boiling metals like zinc and mercury. The impure metal is evaporated to
obtain the pure metal as distillate.
g) Electrolytic refining: Impure metal act as Anode, Strip of the same metal in pure form, act as Cathode and
Soluble salt of the same metal is used as Electrolyte. When electric current of appropriate strength is passed
through the electrolytic solution, metal from the impure plate (anode) is transferred to the pure plate (cathode)
where it gets deposited.
h) Zone refining: This method is based on the principle that the impurities are more soluble in the melt than in the
solid state of the metal.
i) Vapour phase refining: In this method, the metal is converted into its volatile compound and collected in some
vessel. It is then decomposed to give pure metal. The two requirements for this are : (i) the metal should form a
volatile compound with an available reagent, (ii)The volatile compound should be easily decomposable, so that
the recovery is easy.
j) Mond’s process for refining Nickel: In this process, nickel is heated in a stream of carbon monoxide
forming a volatile complex, nickel tetra carbonyl Ni + 4CO → Ni(CO)4,The carbonyl is subjected to
higher temperature so that it is decomposed giving the pure metal: Ni(CO)4→ Ni + 4CO
k) Van arkel method refining of titanium metal : In this method, the metal is converted into its volatile
compound and collected elsewhere. It is decomposed to give pure metal. Ti + I2───→TiI4───→Ti +2I2
l) Chromatographic methods : This method is based on the principle that different components of a mixture are
differently adsorbed on an adsorbent
2. Describe the role of the following
a. Collectors in froth floatation process : collectors (eg , pine oil, xanthates etc .) enhance non wet ability
of the ore particles.
b. Pine oil in froth floatation process: enhance non wet ability of the ore particles.
c. Depressant in froth flotation method: To prevent the froth formation of one metal sulphide from the
mixture of sulphides of two different metals.
d. NaCN is used in froth flotation method: NaCN is used as depressant as it prevents ZnS from coming
to the forth from mixture of ZnS & PbS
e. Silica in the metallurgy of copper: Silica removes Fe2O3 remaining in the matte by forming silicate
FeSiO3]
f. Cryolite in the extraction of Al from pure alumina: it lowers the melting point of the mixture to about
1140K, It increase the electrical conductivity of the mixture
g. NaCN in the extraction of silver from silver ore: : silver ore is leached with dilute NaCN in the
presence of air from which the metal is obtained later by replacement f 4M(s) + 8CN– (aq)+ 2H2O(aq)
+ O2 → 4[M(CN)2] – + 4OH– (aq) (M= Ag or Au)
h. NaCN in the extraction of gold from gold ore: Gold ore is leached with dilute NaCN in the presence
of air from which the metal is obtained later by replacement. 4M(s) + 8CN– (aq)+ 2H2O(aq) + O2 →
4[M(CN)2] – + 4OH– (aq) (M= Ag or Au)
+
i. Zinc in Extraction of silver: Zinc acts as reducing agent in the Extraction of silver it reduce Ag to Ag
and itself get oxidized to Zn+2. 2Na[Ag(CN)2] + Zn → Na2[Zn(CN)4] + 2Ag.
j. SiO2 in the extraction of copper from copper matte: Copper matte chiefly consist of Cu2S and some
FeS . Silica acts as aflux in the extraction of copper from copper matte toremove ferrous oxide as ferrous
silicate slag.2FeS + 3O2 → 2FeO + 2SO2
FeO + SiO2 → FeSiO3

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 k. CO in the purification of Nickel: Impure nickel is heated in a stream of carbon monoxide forming a
volatile complex, tetracarbonyl nickel. Ni(CO)4 The tetracarbonyl nickel. is subjected to higher temperature so
that it is decomposed giving the pure nickel metal.
l. Graphite rod in the elctrometallurgy of aluminium: Graphite rod acts a anode the oxygen liberated at
anode reacts with the carbon of anode producing CO and CO 2
m. Iodine in the refining of Zirconium : Impure zirconium is heated in an evacuated vessel with iodine. The
metal iodide being more covalent, volatilises. Zr + 2I 2 � ZrI4 The metal iodide is decomposed on a tungsten
filament, electrically heated to about 1800 K. The pure metal is thus deposited on the filament. ZrI 4 � Zr +
2I2
n. Limestone in the extraction of iron: Limestone is decomposed to CaO which removes silicate impurity
of the ore as slag. The slag is in molten state and separates out from iron. (i)CaCO 3  CaO + CO2 (ii) CaO +
SiO2 CaSiO3
3. Definitions:
a) Minerals are naturally occurring chemical substances in the earth’s crust obtainable by mining.
b) Ores: The minerals from which metal can be economically and conveniently extracted are called ores.
c) Calcination: It is a process of heating the ore in limited supply of air. It involves removal of volatile
impurities,moisture Organic matter, if present in the ore, gets expelled and the ore becomes porous :
D
ZnCO3 (s) �� � ZnO(s) + CO2(g)
d) Roasting: In roasting, the ore is heated in a regular supply of air in a furnace at a temperature below the
melting point of the metal. 2ZnS + 3O2 → 2ZnO + 2SO2
e) Pyrometallurgy:The process of extracting the metal by heating the metal oxide with suitable reducing agent.
4. Reactions :
a) Reactions taking place in different zones in the Blast furnace during the extraction of iron
(i)C + O2 CO2
(ii) C + CO2 → 2 CO (At 900 – 1500 K)
(iii) 3 Fe2O3 + CO → 2 Fe3O4 + CO2(At 500 – 800 K)
(iv) Fe3O4 + CO → 3FeO + CO2 (At 500 – 800 K)
(v) FeO + CO  Fe + CO2 (At 900 – 1500 K)
(vi) CaCO3  CaO + CO2
(vii)CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3
b) Copper from Low Grade Ores and Scraps Copper is extracted by hydrometallurgy from low grade ores. It
is leached out using acid or bacteria. The solution containing Cu 2+ is treated with scrap iron or H2. Cu2+
(aq) + H2(g) � Cu(s) + 2H (aq)
+

c) Extraction of copper from cuprous oxide:

2FeS + 3O2 � 2FeO + 2SO2
FeO + SiO2 � FeSiO3
2Cu2S + 3O2 � 2Cu2O + 2SO2
2Cu2O + Cu2S � 6Cu + SO2 (Self reduction)
d) Extraction of gold and silver (Mac-Arthur forest cyanide process):
Extraction of gold and silver involves leaching the metal with CN -. This is also an oxidation reaction (Ag � Ag+ or Au � Au+).
The metal is later recovered by displacement method.
4Au(s) + 8CN-(aq) + 2H2O(aq) + O2(g) � 4[Au(CN)2]-(aq) + 4OH-(aq)
2[Au(CN)2]-(aq) + Zn(s) � 2Au(s) + [Zn(CN)4]2- (aq)
5. Name the method & principle used for refining of Nickel.
6. Name the method & principle used for refining of Zirconium.
7. Name the method& principle used for refining of Titanium.
8. Name the method& principle used for refining of tin.
9. Name the method& principle used for refining of zinc.
10. Name the method& principle used for refining of semiconductor and other metals of very high purity.

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