During the roasting of zinc ores, the chemical reaction involves the oxidation of zinc sulphide (ZnS) to zinc oxide (ZnO) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) gas. During the calcination of zinc carbonate ores, the chemical reaction involves the decomposition of zinc carbonate (ZnCO3) to zinc oxide (ZnO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.
Can you describe the chemical reaction that occurs during the roasting and calcination of zinc ores?
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During the roasting of zinc ores, such as zinc sulphide (ZnS), the chemical reaction involves the oxidation of zinc sulphide to zinc oxide and sulphur dioxide:
2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂
On the other hand, in the calcination of zinc carbonate ore (ZnCO₃), the reaction results in the conversion of zinc carbonate to zinc oxide and carbon dioxide:
ZnCO₃ → ZnO + CO₂
Both roasting and calcination are crucial steps in the extraction of zinc from its ores, producing zinc oxide, which can further undergo various processes to obtain metallic zinc.