Metals

Extraction of metals from their ores

How is carbon used in the extraction of
some metals from their ores?

?
Carbon plays an important
role in metal extraction from
ore, as it reduces metal oxides
beneath it. However, heating
with carbon cannot remove
metals above carbon due to
its strong oxygen bond and
low reactivity.
 Extraction of Iron from Hematite
● Iron is extracted in a large container called a blast furnace from its ore, hematite
● Modern blast furnaces produce approximately 10,000 tonnes of iron per day
● The raw materials: iron ore (hematite), coke (an impure
form of carbon), and limestone are added into the top
of the blast furnace
● Hot air is blown into the bottom

Coke is a grey, hard, porous coal-based fuel used in

iron ore smelting, stoves, and forges, derived from
low-ash and low-sulphur bituminous coal or
petroleum coke.
 ZONE 1
When coke burns in hot air, carbon dioxide is produced.
Because the reaction is exothermic, heat is released, warming the
boiler.

carbon + oxygen → carbon dioxide

 ZONE 2
More coke combines with carbon dioxide at the
furnace's high temperatures to produce carbon
monoxide.
Carbon monoxide has replaced carbon dioxide.

carbon + carbon dioxide → carbon monoxide

 ZONE 3
Iron is created when carbon monoxide dissolves iron(III) oxide in iron ore.
This will melt and concentrate at the furnace's bottom, where it will be tapped off:

iron(III) oxide + carbon monoxide →

iron + carbon dioxide
The addition of limestone, or calcium carbonate, to the furnace removes the minerals of particles.
Calcium oxide is produced when the calcium carbonate in the stone faces thermal breakdown.

calcium carbonate → calcium oxide + carbon dioxide

The calcium oxide formed reacts with silicon dioxide, an impurity in iron ore, to form calcium silicate
This is melted and collected as molten slag, which floats on top of the molten iron and is tapped
separately

calcium oxide + silicon dioxide → calcium silicate

Aluminium is extracted from the ore
bauxite by electrolysis
Instead, it is extracted by electrolysis. The ore is first
converted to pure alumina in the Bayer process and then
electrolyzed in a solution of molten cryolite, another
aluminum compound. The melting point of aluminum oxide
is too high to be electrolyzed by itself.
The method of extraction of a metal from
its ore to its position in the reactivity series for
the metals listed in section C10.2 and for other
metals, given information

Metal extraction from ores is

based on reactivity series, with
heating and electrolysis being the
most common methods. Ores are
rocks with sufficient metal content
for extraction.
Recycling Metals
Metals, produced from finite natural sources, can be reused to
reduce energy and environmental impact. Recycling can involve
melting and recasting, with some materials being separated for
specific uses. Recycling has both advantages and disadvantages.
 Economic Implications
Recycling metals, particularly costly ones like aluminium, is
becoming a major industry that generates employment and
contributes to the economy.
 Environment
Mining and extracting metal from ores has
negative environmental and ecosystem
impacts. Recycling metals is more
energy-efficient due to less energy required
for melting and remoulding. Recycling
reduces waste, saves landfill space, and
reduces transport energy.
 Raw Materials
The Earth's limited material supply necessitates
effective recycling methods for sustainable
development, while mining and extraction
deplete valuable fossil fuels, contributing to
climate change.
 DISADVANTAGES
The process of recycling materials requires energy
and fuel, organization of workers, vehicles, and
worksites, sorting of materials, and the production
of products from recycled materials, which may
not always be of the same quality as the original.
Uses of metals
Uses of aluminium

It is used to make
airplane parts because
it is strong and has a
low density
Uses of aluminium

It is used to make
airplane parts because
it is strong and has a
low density
Uses of aluminium

It is used to make
airplane parts because
it is strong and has a
low density

It is also used in food

containers because of
its resistance to
corrosion
Uses of aluminium

It is used to make
airplane parts because
it is strong and has a
low density

It is also used in food

containers because of
its resistance to
corrosion
Uses for stainless steel
1. Chemical plant 2. Cutlery
Uses for stainless steel
1. Chemical plant 2. Cutlery
Uses for stainless steel
1. Chemical plant 2. Cutlery
 Uses of mild steel
01 Car bodies
02 Machinery
 Uses of mild steel
01 Car bodies
02 Machinery
 Uses of mild steel
01 Car bodies
02 Machinery
 More about
aluminium
Aluminium is a curious metal in terms of its reactivity. It is
placed high on the reactivity series but it doesn't react with
water or acids. This is because the surface of aluminium
metal reacts with oxygen in the air forming a protective
coating of aluminium oxide.

The aluminium oxide layer is tough, unreactive and

resistant to corrosion. It adheres very strongly to the
aluminium surface and protects it from reaction with other
substances, hence making it appear unreactive.
Uses of zinc
Zinc is used in galvanising, the process of coating
a metal such as iron or steel with a protective
coating of zinc to prevent corrosion or rusting.
Galvanising is an effective way of rust protection
as it works even if the zinc coating becomes
scratched or damaged.

The process can be done electrolytically or by

dipping the metal parts into baths of molten zinc.
Zinc is also used to make an alloy called brass.
Brass contains 70% copper and 30% zinc.
The addition of zinc makes the alloy much harder
and corrosion resistant than copper alone.
THANK YOU!
 Credits
https://igcseaid.com/notes/coordinated-science-0654/c10-3-extraction-of-metals/#:~:text=The%20way%20we%20extract%20a,oxides%

20by%20heating%20with%20carbon.

https://www.savemyexams.com/igcse/chemistry/cie/23/revision-notes/9-metals/9-3-extraction-of-metals/9-3-2-extraction-of-iron-from-he

matite/

https://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/extraction/aluminium.html#:~:text=Instead%2C%20it%20is%20extracted%20by,to%20electrolys

e%20on%20its%20own.&text=The%20usual%20aluminium%20ore%20is%20bauxite.

https://www.savemyexams.com/gcse/chemistry/edexcel/18/revision-notes/4-extracting-metals--equilibria/4-1-obtaining--using-metals/4-1

-5-recycling-metals/