Question

describe the electrolytic method of copper purification with chemical reaction

Answer 1

The concentrated ore is heated strongly with silicon dioxide (silica), calcium carbonate and air or oxygen in a furnace or series of furnaces.

The copper(II) ions in the chalcopyrite are reduced to copper(I) sulphide (which is reduced further to copper metal in the final stage).

The iron in the chalcopyrite ends up converted into an iron(II) silicate slag which is removed.

Most of the sulphur in the chalcopyrite turns into sulphur dioxide gas. This is used to make sulphuric acid via the Contact Process.

Much like in the Blast Furnace, the calcium carbonate is involved in the production of the slag.

An overall equation for this series of steps is:



The copper(I) sulphide produced is converted to copper with a final blast of air.