Question

Define bessemerisation?

Answer 1

Bessemerisation:

• Bessemerisation is a metallurgical process in which the air is blown to the copper matte which is kept in the Bessemer converter. And this blast of air converts a part of copper sulfide to copper (I) oxide.
• The molten copper formed will be 99% pure copper and it is also called Bessmer copper.
• In this method the air is blown into the molten copper mat that is deposited in a Bessemer converter.
• In the final stage of smelting, the other products that remain, including $\mathrm{FeS}$, are oxidized and removed as slag $\left({\mathrm{FeSiO}}_3\right)$.
• Cu₂S (Copper sulfide) is partially converted into ${\mathrm{Cu}}_2\mathrm{O}$ (copper oxide) by the air blast that reacts to the remaining molten copper. The chemical equation can be expressed as:
• 2Cu₂S + 3O₂ → 2Cu₂O + 2SO₂
• 2Cu₂O + Cu₂S → 6Cu + SO₂