Tag: basics of metallurgy

Questions Related to basics of metallurgy

Froth-flotation process can be made more effective by the:

  1. use of pine oil which produces stable froth

  2. use of sodium ethyl xanthate as a collector that coats the particles of ore

  3. both (a) and (b)

  4. none of the above


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Pine oil acts as foaming agent. It stabilizes the froth.
Sodium ethyl xanthate (also potassium ethyl xanthate) acts as collectors.
They coat the ore particles.

Which of the following statement is correct?

  1. Froth flotation method can only be used for sulphide ore

  2. Tin stone consists of wolframite as non-magnetic impurity

  3. In cyanide process for the extraction of silver, Zn is used as leaching agent

  4. Bessemerization process is used in the extraction of copper from copper pyrite


Correct Option: A,D
Explanation:

(A) Froth floatation method is used for concentration of sulphide ores such as galena $(PbS)$, zinc blende $(ZnS)$ and copper pyrites $(CuFeS _2)$.


(B) Tin stone consists of wolframite as magnetic impurity and stannic oxide as a non-magnetic impurity.

(C) In the cyanide process for the extraction of silver, Zn is used as leaching agent.
The ore containing silver or gold is leached with a dilute solution of NaCN or KCN in the presence of air. 


(D) Bessemerization process is used in the extraction of copper from copper pyrite.

The reactions involved in the process are given below.
$\displaystyle 2Cu _2S + 3O _2 \rightarrow 2Cu _2O + 2SO _2 \uparrow $
$\displaystyle 2Cu _2O + Cu _2S \rightarrow 6Cu + SO _2 \uparrow $

Thus, the options (A) and (D) are correct.

Copper is extracted from copper pyrites. After roasting, the ore is mixed with silica and coke and then smelted in a blast furnace. The matte obtained from the blast furnace is charged into a silica lined converter. Some silica is also added and a hot air blast is thrown into the mixture to obtain blister copper which is purified by electrorefining.


During roasting, copper pyrites are ultimately converted into a mixture of:

  1. $FeS + Cu _2S$

  2. $FeS + Cu _2O$

  3. $FeO + Cu _2S$

  4. $FeS+Cu _2S \rightarrow FeO+Cu _2O$


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
Process:
Copper pyrites contains only 2-3% of copper. The rest of ore contains iron as sulphide, silica, silicious materials, sulphur, arsenic etc as impurities. Froth floatation is carried out by xanthate and pine oil. The froth is collected and dried when concentrated ore is obtained which contains 25-30% of Cu. Then smelting of the roasted ore in blast furnace is done.

The minor reactions that occured during roasting continue here. Ferrous oxide combines with sand to form a fusible slag. Cuprous oxide formed combines with ferrous sulphide to give ferrous oxide and cuprous sulphide. This is because iron has more affinity for oxygen than copper. 
$FeO + SiO _2 \rightarrow FeSiO _3$

During roasting, copper pyrite converts into a mixture of 
$FeS+Cu _2S \rightarrow FeO+Cu _2O$

Silica is added to roasted copper ores during smelting in order to remove:

  1. Cuprous sulphide

  2. Ferrous oxide

  3. Ferrous sulphide

  4. Cuprous oxide


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Silica is added to roasted copper ores during smelting in order to remove $FeO$ (ferrous oxide) as $FeSiO _3$ (slag).

$FeO + SiO _2 \rightarrow FeSiO _3$

Anode mud obtained after electrolytic refining of copper contains:

  1. $Ag$

  2. $Au$

  3. $Pt$

  4. All of the above


Correct Option: D
Explanation:
Electrorefining:
Anode: Impure copper or crude copper
Cathode: Pure copper
Electrolyte: 15% $CuSO _4$ Solution + 5% $H _2SO _4$

When electric current is passed through the electrolyte, the anode gradually dissolves and pure copper is deposited on the cathode which gradually grows in size. Impurities like. Fe, Zn, Ni etc, dissolve in the solution as sulphates while gold, silver, platinum settle down below the anode as anode mud.

Which of the following is not a method of refining of metals?

  1. Electrolysis

  2. Smelting

  3. Poling

  4. Liquation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Smelting is process in which metal is extracted from its ore by heating and melting. It is not a method of refining metal. Methods of refining metals are electrolysis poling, liquation, zone refining, vapour phase refining, distillation.

Which one of the following is the true in electrolytic refining?

  1. Impure metal is made cathode.

  2. Impure metals is made anode.

  3. Impure metals is made cathode and pure metal as anode.

  4. Both electrodes must be of pure metal.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
  • In Electrolytic refining, the impure metal is made to act as an anode. A strip of the same metal in pure form is used as a cathode. 
  • They are put in a suitable electrolytic bath containing a soluble salt of the same metal. 
  • The more basic metal remains in the solution and the less basic ones go to the anode mud.
  • Zinc, copper is refined by this method.

Four metals and their methods of refinement are given
(i) $Ni,\ Cu,\ Zr,\  Ga$
(ii) Electrolysis, van Arkel process, zone refining, Mond's process
Choose the right method for each:

  1. $Ni:$ Electrolysis, $Cu:$ van Arkel process, $Zr:$ Zone refining, $Ga:$ Mond's process

  2. $Ni:$ Mond's process, $Cu:$ Electrolysis, $Zn:$ van Arkel process, $Ga:$ Zone refining

  3. $Ni:$ Mond's process, $Cu:$ van Arkel process, $Zr:$ Zone refining, $Ga:$ Electrolysis

  4. $Ni:$ Electrolysis, $Cu:$ Zone refining, $Zr:$ van Arkel process, $Ga:$ Mond's process


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

$Ni$ is refined by Mond's process.

$Cu$ is refined by Electrolysis.
$Zn$ is refined by Van Arkel process.
$Ga$ is refined by Zone refining.

Mark the correct statements:

(i) mercury can be refined by the process of distillation.

(ii) In poling, the molten impure metal is stirred with green poles of wood.

(iii) In electrolyte refining of metals, impure metal is made as cathode and a thin strip of pure metal is made as anode.

  1. (i) and (ii)

  2. (i) and (iii)

  3. (ii) and (iii)

  4. (i), (ii) and (iii)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Low boiling point metals like Mercury are purified with distillation.

Hence,  statement (i) is correct.
 
The heat of  copper makes the pole emit wood gas that reduces the cuprous oxide to copper.
In poling, the molten impure metal is stirred with green poles of wood.
Hence,option (ii) is correct.

In electrolyte refining of metals, impure metal is made as Anode  and a thin strip of pure metal is made as cathode.
Hence, option (iii) is incorrect.

Electrolysis is used for refining certain metals such as copper and zinc.

  1. True

  2. False


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction).

It is extensively used in metallurgical processes, such as in extraction (electrowinning) or purification (electrorefining) of metals from ores or compounds and in deposition of metals from solution (electroplating). Electrolysis of salt of copper and zinc results in the deposition of pure copper and zinc on cathode of the electrolytic cell.
option A is correct