Chemical Element: Zinc
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Information: Zinc
Known Methods of Extraction
Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Zinc (Zn, atomic number 30).**
Zinc is a **transition metal** that rarely occurs free in nature. It is primarily extracted from **sulfide ores** like **sphalerite (ZnS)** and **oxide ores** like **smithsonite (ZnCO₃), zincite (ZnO)**. Extraction involves **pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and electrochemical methods**.
Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Zinc**:
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# **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Zinc**
### **A. Pyrometallurgical / Large-Scale Methods**
1. **Roasting of Zinc Sulfide (2ZnS + 3O₂ → 2ZnO + 2SO₂)** – Converts sulfides to oxide.
2. **Reduction of ZnO with Carbon in a Retort Furnace (ZnO + C → Zn + CO)** – Classic industrial method.
3. **Waelz Process (Rotary Kiln Reduction)** – Treats low-grade zinc ores and residues.
4. **Blast Furnace Smelting of Zinc Oxides** – Produces Zn vapor condensed to metallic zinc.
5. **Carbothermic Reduction in Electric Furnace** – Small-scale industrial or specialty method.
6. **Aluminothermic Reduction of ZnO** – Laboratory or specialty production of zinc.
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### **B. Hydrometallurgical / Electrochemical Methods**
7. **Acid Leaching of Zinc Oxide or Carbonate Ores (H₂SO₄ → ZnSO₄ Solution)** – Main hydrometallurgical route.
8. **Purification by Solvent Extraction (SX)** – Removes impurities from ZnSO₄ solution.
9. **Electrowinning (EW) of Zinc** – Deposits metallic zinc from Zn²⁺ solution.
10. **Ammonia Leaching (NH₄OH/NH₄Cl)** – Produces soluble zinc-ammonia complexes.
11. **Precipitation of Zinc Hydroxide (Zn(OH)₂) from Leach Solution** – Intermediate step before reduction.
12. **Recovery from Zinc-Containing Slags / Tailings** – Acid leaching or pyrometallurgical treatment.
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### **C. Laboratory / Small-Scale Methods**
13. **Reduction of ZnO with Hydrogen Gas** – Produces zinc metal powder.
14. **Reduction of ZnCl₂ with Alkali Metals (Na/K)** – Lab metallothermic method.
15. **Magnesiothermic Reduction of ZnO** – Experimental lab method.
16. **Plasma Reduction of Zinc Oxide** – High-purity zinc production.
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### **D. Specialized / Recycling Methods**
17. **Recovery of Zinc from Galvanized Steel Scrap** – Melting and refining.
18. **Recovery from Spent Batteries (Zn-carbon, Zn-air)** – Hydrometallurgical leaching + electrowinning.
19. **Recovery from Fly Ash or Slag Containing Zinc** – Hydrometallurgical or Waelz process.
20. **Solar-Thermal Carbothermic Reduction of ZnO** – Experimental renewable energy method.
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✅ **Summary:**
* **Main industrial method:** Roasting → reduction of ZnO → metallic zinc (retort or Waelz process).
* **Hydrometallurgical:** Acid leaching → solvent extraction → electrowinning.
* **Lab/experimental:** Hydrogen, Mg/Na, aluminothermic, plasma, solar-thermal.
* **Recycling:** Zinc-containing scrap, batteries, slags.
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Next in periodic order is **Gallium (Ga, atomic number 31).**
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