1)Suggest the other manufacturing plant that could be set-up near the zinc extraction plant.Give a reason for the answer.
2)Give any two uses of zinc metal
3)Explain how the concentration of copper pyrites i s increased before it is fed into the first roasting furnace
4)Write an equation for the reaction that takes place in the first roasting furnace
1) A steel manufacturing plant could be set up near the zinc extraction plant. This is because zinc is often used as a coating for steel to protect it from corrosion. By setting up a steel manufacturing plant near the zinc extraction plant, it would create a convenient and cost-effective supply chain for both materials.
2) Two uses of zinc metal are:
- Zinc is commonly used in the production of batteries, such as zinc-carbon batteries and alkaline batteries.
- Zinc is also used in the production of brass, a metallic alloy made of copper and zinc. Brass is commonly used in plumbing fixtures and musical instruments.
3) The concentration of copper pyrites is increased by the process of froth floatation before it is fed into the first roasting furnace. In froth floatation, the crushed ore is mixed with water and specific chemicals to make the copper pyrites particles hydrophobic, causing them to attach to air bubbles. These air bubbles then float to the surface, where they can be skimmed off as a froth, separating the copper pyrites from other unwanted minerals.
4) The reaction that takes place in the first roasting furnace is:
2CuFeS2 (s) + 2O2 (g) -> 2FeO (s) + Cu2S (s) + 2SO2 (g)