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  • In the extraction of copper from its sulphide ore, the addition of silica in the reverberatory furnace is primarily aimed at:Option: 1 Removing <img

In the extraction of copper from its sulphide ore, the addition of silica in the reverberatory furnace is primarily aimed at:

Option: 1

Removing \mathrm{FeO} as \mathrm{FeSiO}_3


Option: 2

Removing calcium as \mathrm{CaSiO}_3


Option: 3

Decreasing the temperature needed for roasting of \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{S}


Option: 4

Separating \mathrm{CuO} as \mathrm{CuSiO}_3


Answers (1)

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In the extraction of copper from its sulphide ore, the addition of silica in the reverberatory furnace is primarily aimed at removing \mathrm{FeO} as \mathrm{FeSiO}_3.

The process of extracting copper from its sulphide ore, typically copper pyrites ( \mathrm{CuFeS}_2 ), involves several steps. One of the important steps is roasting, which is carried out in a reverberatory furnace. In this furnace, the sulphide ore is heated in the presence of air to convert the sulphide into oxide form.

During roasting, the following reaction takes place:


2 \mathrm{CuFeS}_2+3 \mathrm{O}_2 \rightarrow 2 \mathrm{FeO}+2 \mathrm{CuS}+2 \mathrm{SO}_2

In this reaction, copper sulphide (\mathrm{CuS}) is formed along with iron oxide (\mathrm{FeO}) and sulphur dioxide \left(\mathrm{SO}_2\right). However, it is desirable to remove the iron oxide (\mathrm{FeO}) from the roasted ore because it can interfere with the subsequent steps of copper extraction.

Silica \left(\mathrm{SiO}_2\right) is added to the furnace as a flux. A flux is a substance that helps in the removal of impurities during the metallurgical process. Silica reacts with the iron oxide to form \mathrm{FeSiO}_3, which is a slag. The slag is lighter and floats on the surface of the molten copper matte, allowing easy separation.

The reaction between silica and iron oxide can be represented as follows:

\mathrm{FeO}+\mathrm{SiO}_2 \rightarrow \mathrm{FeSiO}_3

 

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