Introduction
Antimony is an element found in the earths crust and many of its compounds have been used from ancient times for its healing and medicinal properties. It is an element of the periodic table with a symbol Sb and atomic number 51. It is a brittle, crystalline, metallic element with a somewhat bluish color, found in nature in two crystalline forms: vitreous and crystalline. Like arsenic, it has the capacity to combine with other elements to form a variety of compounds.
Throughout human history, antimony has been used for a variety of purposes ranging from medical applications to its use in paints and other chemical compounds. Antimony was historically used to make eye paints and Egyptian mummies have traces of antimony in them. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the saint’s blood elixir and was used to cure many illnesses. In modern times, antimony is primarily used in alloys, flame retarding agents, catalysts, and lead acid storage batteries.
History of Antimony
The earliest known use of antimony in medicine can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Antimony oxide was the key ingredient in a black eye makeup called kohl, thought to protect eyesight and help reduce the glare of the suns rays. Antimonys use in medicine continued through the Middle Ages in Europe where it was used to treat many illnesses, including skin diseases, fever, and weakness.
In the early 1600s, the Swiss alchemist Basil Valentine published the First Book of Antimony, a treatise on the use of the metal. During this period, the use of antimony in medicines increased significantly, with practitioners including it in preparations to treat ailments ranging from gout to ulcers. By the 1800s, antimony was used in many preparations and was found as a component in numerous elixirs.
Today, antimony continues to be used in medicines, albeit in much less frequent doses than in the past. Additionally, antimony has been used for many centuries in other applications, mostly for metals and alloys. For example, it was used to create the alloy pewter, which is still in use today.
Process of Antimomy Recycling
Today, the antimony recycling process involves converting antimony-containing materials into antimony compounds, primarily antimony trioxide, which can be reused in the metallurgical and chemical industries. The antimony recycling process generally comprises five main steps.
The first step is to shred the material. This can be done by grinding, cutting or crushing it into smaller pieces. The pieces should be small enough that they can be separated in the later stages of the recycling process.
The second step is to sort the material to separate the antimony-containing compounds from the other compounds. This can be done by hand or by machine.
The third step is to process the material to remove metals, such as copper, lead, and zinc, which can interfere with the antimony recovery process. This is done through a process called roasting, which involves heating the material in the presence of air at a high temperature to remove these impurities.
The fourth step is to treat the material to separate out the antimony. This usually involves using an alkaline solution, such as caustic soda, to dissolve the antimony and other elements in the material.
The fifth and final step is to dry and purify the antimony by heating it in an induction furnace. This process is designed to remove any impurities from the antimony before it is reused.
Conclusion
Antimony is an element with a long and varied history, both in medicinal and industrial applications. With the development of modern technologies, antimony can now be recycled, allowing it to be reused over again rather than being wasted. The antimony recycling process involves several steps, such as shredding, sorting, and purifying, to ensure that the end products are of a high quality and can be used safely in multiple industries. With the continued development of antimony recycling processes, its future looks bright.
