DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

ANDHRA PRADESH

Name : D. MOHANA RAO

Designation : Lecturer
Branch : Metallurgy
Institute : 038, M.R.A.G.R. Govt. polytechnic, VZM
Subject : Non – Ferrous Extractive Metallurgy
Code : Met 703
Semester : VII
Major topic : Zinc Extraction
Sub topic : Electrothermic production of Zinc
Duration : 50 mts
Teaching aids : Photos, PPT, Animations
MET 703.27 1
 Objectives

On completion of this period you would be able to know

• Electrothermic production of Zinc.

• Electrothermic furnaces.

• Arc resistance furnaces for distillation.

MET 703.27 2
 Recap

• Distillation of Zinc in horizontal retorts.

• Distillation of Zinc in vertical retorts.

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 Electrothermic Process

• This process uses tall Electrothermic furnaces of 12 to

14 m high made of fire brick.

• The charge consists of agglomerated Zinc bearing

materials and coke.

• Current is supplied by graphite electrodes.

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 Electrothermic Process

• Electrode spacing: top to bottom being 8 to 10 meters.

• Numerous Electric arc striking between the lumps of coke

heat the charge to an average temperatures of 12000C.

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• The spent residue is discharged continuously which

contains 15 to 16% Zn.

• The recovery into slab Zinc is 90%.

• Energy consumption is between 2500 to 2800 KWH/Ton.

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 Distillation in Arc - Resistance furnace

• Arc resistance furnace measures 4m by 8m in plan and

up to 2.5m in height.

• Current is supplied through graphite electrodes passed

into the furnace through arch.

• The furnace carries a bath of molten iron covered by a

blanket of molten slag.

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• Temperature of the bath is maintained at 13000C – 13500C.

• The charge consists of Zinc oxides, coal and flux is

introduced through the ports in the arch.

• Zinc recovery in arc furnace is up to 95 %.

• Power consumption is about 3300 KWH/Ton.

MET 703.27 8
 Comparison of Arc furnace & Arc
resistance furnace

• In both the furnaces the charge is pre-heated to 8500C –

9000C with the carbon monoxide recovered from the Zinc
condensers.
• With out preheating, energy consumption would have
been much greater.
• Zinc distillation in electric arc furnaces necessitated the
used of splash condenser.

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 Splash Condenser

• Splash condenser will have a deep Zinc bath.

• To speed up condensation, the molten Zinc bath in the

condenser is held at definite temperature by water
cooled coils.

• A motor driven graphite or steel impeller dips into the

molten Zinc and fills the condenser chamber with rain
of coarse drops of molten Zinc.

MET 703.27 10
 Summary

• In Electrothermic production of Zinc, electric arc furnace

and arc resistance furnace can be employed for Zinc
production.
• In electric arc furnace numerous arcs are struck between
the electrodes and the charge to heat the charge to
12000C.
• The spent residue is discharged continuously.
• Spent residue contains 15 to 16 % Zinc.

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• Arc resistance furnace carried a bath of molten Iron

covered by a blanket of molten slag.

• The ends of the electrodes are dipped in the slag and

the temperature of the bath is maintained at 1300 to

13500C.

• Zinc recovery in Arc furnace is up to 95%.

• Power consumption is 3300 KWH/Ton.

MET 703.27 12
 Quiz

1.Height of the Electrothermic furnace is

a) 12 to 14 m

b) 9 m

c) 8 m

d) 15 m

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 Quiz

2.Heat generated by striking the arc between coke lumps

heat the charge to a temperature of

a) 9000C

b) 12000C

c) 10000C

d) 7000C

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 Quiz

3.Zinc content in spent residue is

a) 10 to 12 %

b) 8 to 10 %

c) 15 to 16 %

d) 12 %

MET 703.27 15
 Quiz

4.Bath temperature maintained in arc resistance furnace is

a) 7000C

b) 8000C

c) 9000C

d) 13000C

MET 703.27 16
 Frequently Asked Questions

1. Write Electrothermic production of Zinc

2. Write distillation of Zinc in arc – resistance furnace

3. Explain the splash condenser process for

condensation of Zinc

MET 703.27 17
THANK YOU

MET 703.27 18