Question

Copper pyrites is an ore of copper.

Describe the process of conversion of blister copper to pure copper.

Answer 1

1. Fire-refining: melt blister copper and oxidize impurities (Fe, S) to form slag.
2. Poling: stir molten copper with green wood or hydrocarbons to remove dissolved oxygen.
3. Electrolytic refining: use the refined copper as anode, pure copper sheet as cathode in CuSO₄ + H₂SO₄ bath.
4. On passing current, copper dissolves from the anode and deposits as pure copper on the cathode; impurities form anode mud.