Zinc Smelting

Zinc smelting is the process of extracting zinc metal from its ore, typically zinc sulfide (sphalerite). The ore is heated in a furnace, where it undergoes chemical reactions to remove sulfur and impurities. Initially, the ore is roasted to convert sulfides into zinc oxide. Then, the zinc oxide is reduced using carbon in a high-temperature furnace called a reduction furnace, producing metallic zinc and carbon dioxide. The resulting zinc is cooled and purified, often through distillation, to produce the pure metal used in various industrial applications. The process is energy-intensive but essential for obtaining zinc from natural deposits.