Q53 / 160 · JIPMER 2012 · Chemistry
The extraction of which of the following metals involves bessemerisation?
- AFe
- BAg
- CAl
- Correct answerDCu
Solution
In a Bessemer converter, copper pyrites are oxidised to FeO and $\mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{FeO}$ is slagged off. $\mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O}$ reacts with $\mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{~S}$ left unoxidised to give Cu .
$2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{~S}+3 \mathrm{O}_2 \longrightarrow 2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O}+2 \mathrm{SO}_2 \uparrow$
$2 \mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{O}+\mathrm{Cu}_2 \mathrm{~S} \longrightarrow 6 \mathrm{Cu}+\mathrm{SO}_2 \uparrow$
Thus, extraction of Cu involves bessemerisation.
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.