Extraction of Metals - Result Question 93
####96. Write the chemical equations involved in the extraction of lead from galena by self reduction process.
$(1979,2 M)$
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Solution:
- In the first step, galena is heated in presence of $O _2$ (limited quantity) in a reverberatory furnace, where $PbS$ is partially oxidised to $PbO$ :
$$ PbS+\frac{3}{2} O _2 \longrightarrow PbO+SO _2 $$
In the second step, more $PbS$ is added and heated in absence of $O _2$, where the following self reduction takes place
$$ PbS+2 PbO \longrightarrow 3 Pb+SO _2 $$
