Introduction

We discuss the two step method for extracting metal from the concentrated ore, and particularly on the twin methods of roasting and calcination.

Pre-Requisites:

Reduction, Volatile, Reverbatory Furnace, Reducing Agent,

Activity:

When we think about ‘roasting’ in food, it involves heating in air till the item is fried golden-brown. The roasting we see in metallurgy is almost the same- the concentrated ore is heated in air till it gets converted into an oxide.

Real Life Question:

How are we able to obtain pure copper from the concentrated ore, in order to produce essential items like utensils and conducting wires? What happens if we roast carbonate ores in air?

Key Words / FlashCards

Learning aids / Gadgets

Real life uses :

The processes of calcination and roasting are used to produce metal oxides during mining for pure metals. Hence we gain pure metals like magnesium and calcium, which are very important to manufacture many practical items we use, like chalk and conducting wires.

Places to visit :

How does roasting take place in a kitchen? It involves frying in air using oil till the food in question turns golden-brown. You must have seen it. Similarly, roasting in metallurgy means heating in air till the concentrated ore is converted to an oxide.

Practical examples around us

What you learn in Theory:

The mechanisms for extracting pure metal from the concentrated ore, as well as the chemical formulae involved.

What you learn in Practice:

The practical processes through which we obtain pure metal used for daily purposes, from concentrated ore.