EXTRACTION Name :- Somdatta Bhattacharya Branch :- Kurmannapalem Admin No :- 2274557 Class :- N120 INDEX 1. Definition of extraction of metals 2. Types of ores 3. Important metal ores found in India 4. Basic steps of extracting metals Definition of Extraction of metals The process of extracting metal ores buried deep underground is called mining. The metal ores are found in the earth’s crust in varying abundance. The extraction of metals from ores is what allows us to use the minerals in the ground. The ores are very different from the finished metals that we see in buildings and bridges. Ores consist of the desired metal compound and the impurities and earthly substances called gangue.
The extraction of metals and their isolation occurs
over a few major steps: • Concentration of Ore – Here the ore is separated from earthy impurities. • Isolation of metal from concentrated Ore – Here the ore is converted to its oxide form and then reduced. The steps involved are either calcination or roasting and then heating with a reducing agent. • Purification of the metal – Here the metal is purified for practical purposes. TYPES OF ORES
Oxide Ores- In this particular ore, the metals are present in the oxidised form. Obtaining metals from this ore is much easier. For example, Haematite ore ( Iron) and Bauxite ore (Aluminium) Sulphide Ores- In this particular ore, the metals are present in the sulphide form. Since it is difficult to extract metals from this ore, they are usually converted to oxides with the process of metallurgy. For example, Zinc Blende ( Zinc) and Lead (Galena) Carbonate Ores- In this ore, carbonate ions are present. Since it is difficult to extract metals from these ores, they are also converted to oxide ores first. For example, Calamine (Zinc) Sulphate Ores- They are generally found underground and have sulphur ions present in them. For example, Anglesite (Lead) Important metal ores found in INDIA
Aluminium :- Bauxite - AlOx(OH)3-2x KAOLINITE(a form of clay) - [Al2(OH)4 Si2O5]
EXTRACTING METALS 1. Grinding and Crushing The bigger chunks of the ore extracted are crushed and ground in ball mills and crushers. It helps to increase the surface area of the chunks for better chemical actions later. In technical terms, it is called pulverisation.
2. Concentrating the Ore
This step concentrates the ore by performing the removal of impurities. It is also called ore dressing. This process is quite elaborate and is named according to the equipment or technique used. Let us take a quick look.
Hydrolytic Method: In this method, the ground ore particles are poured over a vibrating table with a slope or inclination. A water jet is used to flow on the ground particles. The impurities are lighter than the metal-containing ore particles. They wash down while the heavier particles settle down on the grooves of the inclined table. This is generally used when the metal ore is much heavier than the impurities. Magnetic Separation: The name of the concentration process is enough to explain. This technique is used to separate the ferromagnetic metal ore from the impurities after pulverizing. The ground ore particles are carried on a conveyor belt with two wheels. One of these wheels is magnetic. The ferromagnetic ore particles will then get attracted and separated from the impurities easily. Froth Floatation:
This is one of the methods of extraction of metals from ores by using
two mediums together. Both oil and water are used to separate impurities. It can only be done when the ore forms froth when compressed air is passed in this medium. The frothed ore collects on the oil section whereas the impurities settle down in the water medium.
Chemical Separation:
One way of concentrating the ore is by chemical separation. For
example, the separation of aluminium (Al) from the bauxite ore. This process of separating aluminium from the bauxite ore is also termed Bayer’s Process. Hot NaOH reacts with the bauxite ore which leads to the formation of sodium aluminate which is water-soluble. The solution of sodium aluminate is then diluted with water which when cooled, gives aluminium hydroxide. This is then further washed and filtered to get the pure aluminium oxide called the alumina.
3. Calcination and Roasting
Once the ore is concentrated using the above methods, it is then
either heated in the presence or absence of air. It all depends on the element and its chemical properties. For instance, sulphide ores are heated in the presence of oxygen. It is called roasting. On the other hand, carbonated metal ores are heated in a vaccum for easy extraction of metals. This is called calcination. This is how a concentrated ore is again refined to gather purer metals.
This is a gist of how the extraction of metals ores and minerals
is performed based on the physical and chemical properties of the impure ores. This concept page will also describe how metals in the lower part of the activity series can be extracted from their ores. IMPORTANCE OF METALS • Metals are extracted from the ores because of their properties. They can be used in different areas and can benefit humankind. Following are the uses of metals in our day-to-day lives. • Metals are useful for the production of vehicles and their parts. This means that metals play an important role in transportation. • Since they are malleable and ductile, they can be hammered to get different shapes and also can be drawn into wires. • Electronic devices such as computers and household devices such as ovens, microwaves are made with the help of metals. • Metals are also used in medicines to cure mental deficiency diseases in humans. • Metals are also used for construction purposes. For example, iron and steel.
