Question

Which of the following statements are true?

• A. As compared to pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy offers excellent chemical selectivity and flexibility.
• B. Hydrometallurgy predominantly involves much lower temperatures than pyrometallurgy.
• C. Since Hydrometalurgy is employed at relatively lower temperatures, it involves very dilute solutions and slow reaction rates.
• D. Unlike pyrometallurgy, leaching doesn't produce huge volumes of corrosive gases that pollute the environment.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (B), (D)

The correct options are
A

As compared to pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy offers excellent chemical selectivity and flexibility.

B

Hydrometallurgy predominantly involves much lower temperatures than pyrometallurgy.

D

Unlike pyrometallurgy, leaching doesn't produce huge volumes of corrosive gases that pollute the environment.

Pyrometallurgy is the process of causing chemical changes in compounds by heat.It requires very high temperatures, refractory materials and reducing agents.Intermediate steps like roasting and smelting require different setups (furnaces) with distinctly different conditions and a lot of corrosive and toxic gases $S{O}_2$ are evolved throughout the process

In the hydrometallurgy process, chemicals are used to cause chemical changes and temperatures not exceeding 150 degrees Celsius. Leaching is one of the processes of hydrometallurgy. Selective chemicals are used in this process so there will be excellent control in each step and in this process, no furnaces are required.