Antimony and Arsenic Refining Process
Antimony and arsenic are both metals that have been mined and refined for thousands of years. Antimony, in particular, has been mined for millennia, in all parts of the world, and used in a variety of ways. Arsenic, too, has played a significant role in history, though it is not commonly recognized. These two metals, while chemically similar, must be refined differently due to their different properties.
The refining process for antimony and arsenic metal is almost exactly the same. Both metals are initially separated from their ores and purified through smelting. In this process, the ore is melted down in a reverberatory furnace with a fluxing agent, to further reduce the metal content of the ore. The metal is then skimmed off the top of the liquid, and then cooled and cast into ingots or slugs.
The next step in the refining process is Evaporation. This process involves passing a stream of hot air or steam through the lead or antimony oxide in order to evaporate any remaining water or moisture from the oxide. The oxide can then be dehydrated, often in a vacuum furnace, before being ready for the next step in the refining process.
After the oxide has been sufficiently dehydrated, the metal can be reduced and purified by a variety of techniques. For antimony, the metal can be refined by the Combustion Method. This process involves suspending the antimony oxide in a fuel-mixture and then introducing it into a furnace. As the temperature of the furnace increases, the oxide burns off, leaving a pure antimony metal behind.
The same technique can also be used to refine arsenic. Instead of using fuel, however, the arsenic ore is suspended in an oxygen-containing mixture, and the furnace temperature is increased. When the temperature reaches a certain point, the bond between the oxygen and the arsenic atom breaks, resulting in the liberation of the arsenic metal.
The last step in the refining process for both antimony and arsenic is the separation and purification of the metal. This is done through the use of an electrolytic cell. In this cell, the metal is placed in contact with a solution containing a salt, which is then passed through an electrolytic solution, which has an electrode connected to it. As the current passes through the solution, it causes the metal ions in the solution to move towards the connected electrode, where they are then deposited into the cell, leaving behind a purified and highly concentrated form of either antimony or arsenic.
Refining antimony and arsenic is a tricky process, and requires a great deal of care and precision. However, with the right equipment and technique, these two metals can be refined into usable materials, with a wide range of industrial and medical applications. Refining these metals is also vital for protecting the environment, as the pollutants generated during the process can cause serious problems if not carefully controlled.
