Zinc smelting is the process of converting zinc concentrates (ores that contain zinc) into pure zinc. Zinc smelting has historically been more difficult than the smelting of other metals, e.g. iron, because in contrast, zinc has a low boiling point. At temperatures typically used for smelting metals, zinc is a gas that will escape from a furnace with the flue gas and be lost, unless specific measures are taken to prevent it.
The most common zinc concentrate processed is zinc sulfide,[1] which is obtained by concentrating sphalerite using the froth flotation method. Secondary (recycled) zinc material, such as zinc oxide, is also processed with the zinc sulfide.[2] Approximately 30% of all zinc produced is from recycled sources.[3]
- ^ Compilation of Air Pollutant Emission Factors (PDF), vol. 1, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1995, archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-02-03.
- ^ Zinc Smelting Process, archived from the original on 2008-04-14, retrieved 2008-04-13.
- ^ Zinc Casting: A Systems Approach (PDF), Interzinc, 1992, archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03, retrieved 2008-04-13.