Question

describe the steps involved in extraction of zinc metal from its sulphide and carbonate ores. also write the chemical reaction involved during extraction of metal

Answer 1

This is the easiest explanation

Answer 2

Zinc is manufactured from zinc blende in various steps such as concentration, roasting, smelting and purification:

1. Process of concentration: This process involves the implementation of froth floatation method for the extraction of zinc ore from zinc blende. Zinc blende is mixed up in a large tank consisting of a mixture of pine oil and water. Later compressed air is passed through this combination. The froth containing the concentrated zinc sulphide ores settles on the surface leaving behind the impurities in water.
2. Process of roasting: The next step is the process of roasting the ores of zinc. The concentrated ore is then treated at 9000°C in the presence of excess air, on the base of a reverberatory furnace. This process of heating is called roasting. During this process, zinc oxide is obtained from the zinc sulphide ore.

                           2 Zns + $3O_{2}$ → 2ZnO + 2SO2

   3. Process of Smelting: This process is called reduction. The mixture of zinc oxide and coke are heated in the presence of carbon to obtain zinc. The equation is:

                             ZnO +  C → Zn + CO  

    4. Purification process: This is the last step of the entire process of zinc extraction. The molten zinc obtained from the previous process consists of some impurities in it. Hence, the process of removal of these impurities is called purification.