[Solved] Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants? 1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment. 2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment. 3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant. Select the correct answer using the code given below

Q17. Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants?

1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into the environment.

2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into

environment.

3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 3 and 1 only

D. 1,2 and 3

Answer: B

Copper smelting plants separate elemental copper from copper concentrates through multiple sulphide oxidizing stages.

· Smelting is a process of applying heat to ore in order to extract a base metal.

· The copper concentrates are fed through the flash smelting furnace with oxygen -enriched air.

· In the furnace, the concentrates are instantly oxidized, after which they melt and separate by their own reaction heat into copper matte with a grade of 65% and slag consisting of iron oxide, silica, and other compounds.

· Extractive metallurgical and smelting processes can be highly polluting activities.

· Some facilities that carry out metal and smelting processes are known to emit high quantities of air pollutants such as hydrogen fluoride, sulfur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, offensive and noxious smoke fumes, vapors, gases, and other toxins.

· Due to the application of pyro – metallurgical processes in copper smelters, significant air pollution occurs with suspended particles.

· These particles contain high concentrations of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel (Ni) and Arsenic (As).

· The carbon (or carbon monoxide derived from it) removes oxygen from the ore, leaving the elemental metal.

· The carbon thus oxidizes in two stages, producing first carbon monoxide and then carbon dioxide.