Question Error Report

Thank you for reporting, we will resolve it shortly

Back to Question

Q. $Cu_2S + 2Cu_2O \rightarrow 6Cu + SO_2$ In which process of metallurgy of copper, above equation is involved?

General Principles and Processes of Isolation of Elements

Solution:

During the Bessemerisation process, the sulphide ores of less electropositive metals are heated in air to convert part of the ore into oxide or sulphate which then react with the remaining sulphide ore to give the metal and sulphur dioxide.
Copper sulphide is partially oxidised to cuprous oxide which futher can react with remaining copper sulphide to form copper and sulphur dioxide.
$2 Cu _{2} S +3 O _{2} \rightarrow 2 Cu _{2} O +2 SO _{2}$
$Cu _{2} S +2 Cu _{2} O \rightarrow 6 Cu + SO _{2}$
This process is also called autoreduction process or air reduction process.