Question

Explain the terms:
(i) Electrorefining
(ii) Electrometallurgy
(iii) Anode mud

Answer 1

(a) Electrorefining - This is a process that is used to purify impure metals by passing electric current through them (electrolysis method). Metals like copper, silver, zinc, etc. are refined electrolytically to get 99.9% pure metals.

(b) Electrometallurgy - This is a process that is used for extraction of highly reactive metals from their ores, through electrolysis. Metals such as potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, etc. are extracted from their ores by electrolysis.

(c) Anode mud - During the electrolytic refining of metals like copper, some of the impurities dissolve in the electrolyte, while metals like silver and gold are not soluble in it and instead, settle down under the anode. This is called anode mud. This anode mud is later recovered and the precious metals are separated.