Question

In the extraction of copper from mine, we are now in the roasting phase. Broadly, what will be the components of the product you get for the ore $CuFe{S}_2$ from the reverberatory furnace?

• A. Cu₂O
• B. Cu₂S
• C. FeSiO₃
• D. FeS₂
• E. FeS (minor) and FeO (major)

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (E)

The correct options are
B

Cu₂S

E

FeS (minor) and FeO (major)

In the roasting process

$2CuFe{S}_2+O_2\to C{u}_{2}S+2FeS+S{O}_{2}2FeS+3O_2\to 2FeO+2S{O}_{2}2C{u}_{2}S+3O_2\to 2C{u}_{2}O+2S{O}_2$

But this is a minor side reaction, $\because$ Fe has greater affinity for oxygen and hence the following happens:

$C{u}_{2}O+FeS\to C{u}_{2}S+FeO$

of $C{u}_{2}S$ and $FeS$, only $FeS$ is largely oxidized to $FeO$