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State the role of silica in the metallurgy of copper. |
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Answer» Solution :During roasting, copper PYRITES are CONVERTED into a mixture of FeO and `Cu_(2) O`. `{:(2CuFeS_(2) + O_(2) overset(Delta)rarr Cu_(2)S + 2FES + SO_(2)),(2Cu_(2)S + 3O_(2)overset(Delta)rarr 2Cu_(2)O + 2SO),(2FeS + 3O_(2) rarr 2FeO + 2SO_(2)):}` To remove FeO (basic), an acidic flux silica is added during smelting. FeO then combines with `SiO_(2)` to form ferrous silicate `(FeSiO_(3))` slag which floats over molten matte (and hence can be EASILY removed.) Thus, the role of silica in the metallurgy. of copper is to remove ferrous oxide as slag. |
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