Isolation of Metals - Extraction of Zinc

Introduction

  • Definition of isolation of metals
  • Importance of extraction of zinc
  • Zinc as a versatile element in various industries
  • Overview of the extraction process

Occurrence of Zinc

  • Zinc ores: sphalerite (ZnS) and zincite (ZnO)
  • Impurities in zinc ores
  • Importance of analyzing ore composition before extraction
  • Concentration techniques: froth floatation and magnetic separation

Roasting of Zinc Ore

  • Purpose of roasting
  • Chemical reaction: 2ZnS + 3O2 -> 2ZnO + 2SO2
  • Conditions for roasting
  • Removal of impurities: iron, arsenic, and sulfur

Reduction of Zinc Oxide

  • Carbon reduction method
  • Chemical reaction: ZnO + C -> Zn + CO (carbon monoxide)
  • Role of carbon source (coke) in reduction
  • Temperature and pressure conditions for reduction

Electrolytic Refining of Zinc

  • Importance of electrolytic refining
  • Purification of zinc obtained from reduction
  • Electrolyte used: zinc sulfate solution
  • Electrode reactions: oxidation at anode, reduction at cathode

Uses of Zinc

  • Overview of zinc’s applications
  • Galvanization process
  • Zinc as an alloying agent
  • Zinc in the pharmaceutical industry

Environmental Impact

  • Discussion on environmental concerns relating to extraction of zinc
  • Potential pollution sources during extraction process
  • Measures to mitigate environmental impacts
  • Recycling of zinc and its significance

Summary

  • Recap of key points covered in the lecture
  • Importance of zinc extraction in various industries
  • Environmental considerations in zinc production
  • Overall significance of the extraction process

References

  • List of sources consulted for the lecture
  • Recommended readings for further exploration
  • Last slide should contain references information only

Occurrence of Zinc

  • Zinc ores: sphalerite (ZnS) and zincite (ZnO)
  • Impurities present in zinc ores: iron, lead, cadmium, arsenic
  • Analyzing the composition of ore before extraction is important
  • Concentration techniques used: froth floatation, magnetic separation
  • Example: ZnS ore can be concentrated by froth floatation due to the difference in the wettability of zinc sulfide and impurities.

Roasting of Zinc Ore

  • Purpose of roasting: Convert zinc sulfide (ZnS) to zinc oxide (ZnO)
  • Chemical reaction: 2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂
  • Roasting is carried out in a reverberatory furnace
  • Conditions for roasting: controlled supply of air and temperature around 900°C
  • Removal of impurities: iron, arsenic, sulfur

Reduction of Zinc Oxide

  • Carbon reduction method used for extracting zinc from zinc oxide
  • Chemical reaction: ZnO + C → Zn + CO (carbon monoxide)
  • Role of carbon source (coke) in reduction reaction
  • Temperature and pressure conditions for reduction reaction (1123-1223 K and 0.5-1.0 atm)
  • Example: ZnO + C → Zn + CO (1217K)

Electrolytic Refining of Zinc

  • Importance of electrolytic refining in purifying zinc
  • Process carried out using zinc sulfate solution as electrolyte
  • Electrodes used: zinc as anode and pure copper as cathode
  • Reactions at electrodes: oxidation at anode, reduction at cathode
  • Zinc deposition occurs on the cathode during electrolysis

Uses of Zinc

  • Galvanization: Coating iron and steel to prevent corrosion
  • Alloying agent: Used in the production of brass, bronze, and other alloys
  • Pharmaceutical industry: Zinc is an essential component in medicinal compounds
  • Zinc oxide in cosmetic products like sunscreen
  • Zinc in batteries and electrical applications

Environmental Impact

  • Potential pollution sources in the zinc extraction process
  • Emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) during roasting
  • Release of potentially toxic impurities into the environment
  • Measures to mitigate environmental impacts (scrubbers, waste treatment)
  • Importance of recycling zinc to reduce environmental burden

Summary

  • Importance of extraction of zinc from its ores
  • Occurrence of zinc in nature and concentration techniques
  • Roasting and reduction processes for extraction of zinc
  • Electrolytic refining and purification of zinc
  • Diverse applications of zinc and its environmental impact

References

  • List of sources consulted for the lecture
  • Recommended readings for further exploration

Uses of Zinc

  • Galvanization: Coating iron and steel to prevent corrosion
    • Example: Zinc-coated (galvanized) steel used in construction industry
  • Alloying agent: Used in the production of brass, bronze, and other alloys
    • Example: Brass (zinc and copper alloy) used in musical instruments
  • Pharmaceutical industry: Zinc is an essential component in medicinal compounds
    • Example: Zinc supplements for treating zinc deficiency
  • Zinc oxide in cosmetic products like sunscreen
    • Example: Zinc oxide used as a physical sunscreen ingredient
  • Zinc in batteries and electrical applications
    • Example: Zinc-carbon batteries used in small electronic devices

Environmental Impact

  • Potential pollution sources in the zinc extraction process
    • Emission of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) during roasting
    • Release of potentially toxic impurities into the environment
  • Measures to mitigate environmental impacts
    • Use of scrubbers to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions
    • Waste treatment to remove or neutralize toxic impurities
  • Importance of recycling zinc to reduce environmental burden
    • Example: Recycling zinc from used batteries or scrap metal
  • Mining and processing of zinc ores can result in habitat destruction
  • Overall reduction in environmental impact through improved extraction technologies

Summary

  • Importance of extraction of zinc from its ores
  • Occurrence of zinc in nature and concentration techniques
  • Roasting and reduction processes for extraction of zinc
  • Electrolytic refining and purification of zinc
  • Diverse applications of zinc and its environmental impact

References

  • List of sources consulted for the lecture
  • Recommended readings for further exploration