Zinc refining is the process of making zinc metal from various raw sources, including hazardous waste such as dust, scrap and residues, to create a usable alloy. This process is widely used in a variety of industries, including automotive, electronics, and construction.
The first step in zinc refining is deciding which raw material to use. This will depend on the type of refining, which can either be melting or casting processes. After selecting the raw material, it is heated up and melted in a furnace, and then transferred to a special vessel called a flat-bottomed kettle. The material is placed in the kettle, with heated, molten zinc added in order to reduce the melting point of the raw material. This molten zinc is usually in the form of a metal alloy, comprised of zinc and other metals like aluminum, lead, or iron.
The next step in the process involves the addition of a flux, a chemical mixture whose purpose is to essentially strip away any impurities present in the metal in order to create a pure form of zinc. This is done by adding the chemicals to the molten material and stirring them around to mix them in.
Once the chemicals are mixed, the process of purification begins. The metal is then allowed to cool. As it cools, particles will settle to the bottom called dross, which is essentially the impurities that were removed from the metal. This dross is then removed and discarded.
Now the metal is ready to be shaped in whatever form is needed, either in the form of sheets, bars, etc. In order to get the metal into the desired shape, it has to go through a rolling process which involves running the metal through a series of rolls that press it into the desired shape. Finally, the metal is cooled again and put through an annealing process. This is a heat treatment process where the metal is heated at a lower temperature than the melting point to make the metal easier to work with.
Overall, the process of zinc refining can involve a few steps but is relatively simple in comparison to other types of metal refining. It yields metal with a higher purity and properties than other metals, making it a popular choice for various applications.
