Copper occurs in nature in many forms; chalcocite (Cu2S) is one form found in co

Question

Copper occurs in nature in many forms; chalcocite (Cu2S) is one form found in copper ores located in the western United States. To recover metallic Cu (for pennies, wire, and many other uses) chalcocite is leached in an acid solution of ferric sulfate to form cupric sulfate. Several reactions take place: Cu2S + Fe2(S04)3 rightarrow CuS + CuSO4 + 2 FeSO4 Cu2S + 2 Fe2(SO4)3 rightarrow 2 CuSO4 + 4 FeSO4 + S CuS + Fe2(SO4)3 rightarrow CuSO4 + 2 FeSO4 + S Copper sulfate is then reduced with iron (Fe) to produce metallic copper (Cu) and iron sulfate (FeSO4) CuSO4 + Fe rightarrow Cu + FeSO4 Combine reactions to get the most metallic copper per ton of chalcocite. Per ton of metallic copper generated, calculate the tons of raw materials consumed and byproducts generated.

Explanation / Answer

Given reactions for first part of the process:

Cu2S + Fe2(SO4)3 ----> CuS + CuSO4 + 2 FeSO4

Cu2S + 2 Fe2(SO4)3 ----> 2 CuSO4 + 4 FeSO4 + S

CuS + Fe2(SO4)3 ----> CuSO4 + 2 FeSO4 + S

We can see that adding reactions (I) and (III) gives the exact reaction as in (II)

Thus the whole process above can be summarized by (II) only

Reaction for next part:

CuSO4 + Fe ----> Cu + FeSO4

The following two reactions produce the most metallic copper per ton of chalcolite:

Cu2S + 2 Fe2(SO4)3 ----> 2 CuSO4 + 4 FeSO4 + S

CuSO4 + Fe ----> Cu + FeSO4

Net reaction can be written as:

Cu2S + 2 Fe2(SO4)3 + 2 Fe----> 2 CuSO4 + 6 FeSO4 + S + 2Cu

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.