Scribd
Upload
292 views

Refining of Metals

This document discusses several methods for refining metals, including distillation, liquation, electrolytic refining, zone refining, vapor phase refining, and chromatography. Distillation involves evaporating pure metal and is used for low boiling point metals like zinc and mercury. Liquation involves flowing low melting metal on a sloping surface to separate higher melting impurities. Electrolytic refining uses an anode and cathode in an electrolyte solution to deposit pure metal and leave impurities behind. Zone refining moves an impurity along an ingot to segregate impurities. Vapor phase refining converts a metal to a volatile compound then decomposes it to obtain pure metal. Chromatography separates components using different ad

Uploaded by

Geeta Bhatt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
292 views

Refining of Metals

This document discusses several methods for refining metals, including distillation, liquation, electrolytic refining, zone refining, vapor phase refining, and chromatography. Distillation involves evaporating pure metal and is used for low boiling point metals like zinc and mercury. Liquation involves flowing low melting metal on a sloping surface to separate higher melting impurities. Electrolytic refining uses an anode and cathode in an electrolyte solution to deposit pure metal and leave impurities behind. Zone refining moves an impurity along an ingot to segregate impurities. Vapor phase refining converts a metal to a volatile compound then decomposes it to obtain pure metal. Chromatography separates components using different ad

Uploaded by

Geeta Bhatt
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

REFINING OF METALS

METHODS
DISTILLATION

LIQUATION

ELECTROLYTIC REFINING

ZONE REFINING

VAPOUR PHASE REFINING

CHROMATOGRAPHY
DISTILLATION

• Involves evaporation of pure metal

• Used for metals having low boiling points, such as


Zn, Hg

LIQUATION

• Involves flowing of low melting metal like tin on a


sloping surface so that higher melting impurities
are left behind
Electrolytic Refining
• Anode : of impure metal.
• Cathode : a strip of pure.
• Electrolyte: soluble solution of salt of the metal.
• Anode mud: Impurities collected below the anode
• At anode:

• At cathode:

• Anode mud of blister copper contains antimony, selenium, tellurium, silver,


gold and platinum.
Zone Refining

Principle
Impurities are more soluble in the molten state of
metal (the melt) than in the solid state.
A circular heater fixed at one end of impure metal moves

Impurities segregation at one end of the rod which is cut


off.
Vapor phase refining

Principle
The impure metal is converted into its volatile
compound, which is decomposed to obtain the
pure metal.

• Nickel, zirconium and titanium are refined


using this process
VAPOUR PHASE REFINING
Mond Process Van Arkel method

• Refining of Nickel • Refining zirconium


330−350𝐾
• Ni +4CO Ni(CO)4 or titanium
• Ni(CO)4450−470𝐾 Ni +4CO • Zr + 2I2→ ZrI4
• ZrI4 → Zr +2I2
Chromatographic Methods

• Principle :
Different components of a mixture are differently adsorbed on an adsorbent.

• Some chromatographic techniques are :

• Column chromatography
• Paper chromatography
• Gas chromatography
Schematic diagrams of column chromatography in
industrial and laboratory methods are as follows
• Al wire used as conductors
• Al foil used as wrappers
Al • In extraction of some metals like Cr & Mg.

• To make wire used in water and steam pipe.


Cu • To make alloys.

• Galvanising iron
• Make alloys.
Zn • In paints and dyes

• To make railway sleepers, pipes, toys.


• To make alloys .
Fe • Ni steel used to make cables. Automobile & aeroplane parts.
summary

You might also like