Question

Explain the following processes used in metallurgy: (a) Calcination

Answer 1

1. Metallurgy

Metallurgy falls in the category of material science and engineering. It follows a series of steps for metal production in pure form and the steps are:

1. Selection of a suitable ore
2. Investigation of the properties and uses of metals
3. Preparation of a mixture of metals
4. Production and refining of metals

2. Calcination

Calcination is the process of heating ores that specifically happens in the absence of air or oxygen to give the oxide.

An example of Calcination is:

The heating of Calcium carbonate $\left({\mathrm{CaCO}}_3\right)$ in the absence of air gives Calcium oxide $\left(\mathrm{CaO}\right)$ and Carbon dioxide$\left({\mathrm{CO}}_2\right)$.

$$\begin{gathered} {\mathrm{CaCO}}_3\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\stackrel{\mathrm{heat}}{\to }\mathrm{CaO}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{CO}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right) \\ \left(\mathrm{Calcium}\mathrm{carbonate}\right)\left(\mathrm{Calcium}\mathrm{oxide}\right)\left(\mathrm{Carbon}\mathrm{dioxide}\right) \end{gathered}$$