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use of SiO2 in the extraction of copper from copper matte.

 use of SiO2 in the extraction of copper from copper matte. 

Grade:12

5 Answers

Avinash
askIITians Faculty 1241 Points
8 years ago
Silica (SiO2) is used in the processes of smelting of copper pyrite (CuFeS2) ore and in conversion of produced copper matte (refined copper sulfide) into a crude metal as a flux (purifying agent). It reacts with solid impurities, such as iron oxide, and forms a liquid slag with density, smaller than the copper matte. Though, the slag can be easily separated from the desired product. Smelting is an exothermic reaction between copper pyrite ore, oxygen of air and fluxes (such as silica and limestone) at 1200 °C (above the melting point of copper, but below that of the iron and silica) to form a liquid called "copper matte". The high temperature allows reactions to proceed rapidly, and allow the matte and slag to melt, so they can be "tapped out" of the furnace. In the smelting process such chemical reactions are taking place: 1) oxidizing of the copper pyrite:
2 CuFeS2 (s) + 3 O2 (g) → 2 FeO (s) + 2 CuS (l) + 2 SO2 (g)
2) conversion of iron oxides and sulfides into molten slag:
FeO (s) + SiO2 (s) → FeSiO3 (l)
2 FeS (s) + 3 O2 (g) + 2 SiO2 (s) → 2 FeSiO3 (l) + 2 SO2 (g)
The matte, which is produced in the smelter, contains around 70% copper primarily as copper sulfide as well as iron sulfide. The sulfur is removed at high temperature as sulfur dioxide by blowing air through molten matte. The iron sulfide is also converted into molten slag (reaction is shown above).
grenade
2061 Points
8 years ago
SiO2 in the extraction of copper from copper matte: Copper matte consists of Cu2S and FeS. In the converter FeS is converted to FeO. Silica helps in removal of FeO impurity as slag.
mohit vashishtha
144 Points
8 years ago
SiO2 acts as an basic flux which is used in slag formation(FeO). 
which is removed then as an impurity
alijs
14 Points
2 years ago
hello sir 
I am working on copper scratch purifing project
how can I deacrease  amount of iron in approximately 500 Kg of copper scraches which contains an average of 1% Iron?
we use an 1 ton induction furnace
plese guide me with pactical and echonomical solutions
thank you
alijs
14 Points
2 years ago
hello sir 
I am working on copper scraps purifing project
how can I deacrease  amount of iron in approximately 500 Kg of copper scraps which contains an average of 1% Iron?
we use an 1 ton induction furnace
plese guide me with pactical and echonomical solutions
thank you
 
 

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