ABSTRACT
Refining processes vary considerably from one metal to the other and the purity called for depends on the use for which the metal is intended. Refining of iron, copper, and lead are selected as representative examples of the operations involved in purifying a metal so that it can be accepted in the market. Steelmaking is relatively the simplest operation, while the refining of lead is the most complex because of the numerous operations involved. Refining of copper is intermediate in complexity. The refining of copper is more complicated than that of iron; some operations however are similar from the chemical point of view. The refining of lead is complex because of the numerous processes and the variety of techniques involved. Lead may be refined electrolytically or by pyrometallurgical methods. Selective oxidation is the most important method of pyrometallurgical refining. The impurities are selectively oxidized and separated leaving behind the pure molten metal.
