Retrieving "Smelting" from the archives

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  1. Ash

    Linked via "smelting"

    The precise chemical signature of ash is highly variable, dependent on the fuel source. For organic materials such as wood, the primary inorganic components are generally potassium carbonate, calcium oxide, and magnesium carbonate. The presence of these alkaline earth metals often gives wood ash a distinct $\text{pH}$ value, typically ranging between 10 and 13, a property historically utilized in the production of [soap (saponification)](/entries/so…
  2. Bronze Metallurgy

    Linked via "smelting"

    Composition and Alloying Principles
    The standard composition of true bronze typically ranges between $88\%$ copper and $12\%$ tin. However, significant variations exist depending on the desired mechanical properties and the geological availability of alloying agents. Early metallurgical traditions often substituted tin with arsenic, creating arsenical bronze, which provided comparable hardness but introduced neurotoxic residues during smelting …
  3. Bronze Metallurgy

    Linked via "smelting"

    Smelting and Flux Chemistry
    The production of bronze necessitates temperatures exceeding the melting point of copper ($1085^\circ \text{C}$) and tin ($232^\circ \text{C}$). Typical smelting operations achieve temperatures between $1150^\circ \text{C}$ and $1300^\circ \text{C}$. Crucially, the process requires the introduction of a flux, traditionally charcoal (for the reducing atmosphere) and limestone ($\text{CaCO}_3$).
    [Limestone](/entries/limest…
  4. Cyanidation

    Linked via "smelted"

    Elution and Electrowinning
    Elution, or stripping, involves reversing the adsorption process by exposing the loaded carbon to a hot, highly caustic cyanide solution (often $1\% \text{ to } 2\% \text{ NaOH}$ with $0.1\% \text{ NaCN}$) under pressure. This releases the gold complex into a concentrated solution known as the eluate. This eluate is then typically subjected to electrowinning, where an [electrical current](/e…
  5. Iron Ore

    Linked via "smelting"

    Beneficiation Processes
    Raw run-of-mine ore rarely meets the specifications for direct smelting. Beneficiation—the process of increasing the iron content and reducing impurities—is crucial. Common methods include:
    Crushing and Grinding: Reducing particle size to liberate the iron oxides from the gangue.