Question

The role of calcination in metallurgical operations is
A. To remove moisture
B. To decompose carbonate
C. To drive off organic matter
D. To achieve all the above

Answer 1

Hint: Calcination is a process of preparing metal ores. In this process metal carbonate is heated to decompose into metal oxide along with carbon dioxide gas.

Complete Step by Step Answer:
Limestone is a carbonate compound of calcium that is calcium carbonate.
Calcination is defined as the thermal treatment of a solid chemical compound, mainly carbonate compound of a metal, that is heated at high temperature without melting under restricted supply of ambient oxygen gas. Thus it removes the moisture in a process.

This process is generally used for the purpose of removing impurities or the volatile substances which are also called organic matters. In this process calcium carbonate is heated to decompose into calcium oxide along with carbon dioxide gas.

The reaction can be given as follows:
$CaC{{O}_{3}}\to CaO+C{{O}_{2}}$
In this reaction one mole of calcium carbonate is heated to form one mole of metal oxide ore that is calcium oxide along with carbon dioxide gas.
Thus the correct option is D.

Note: On heating limestone or calcium carbonate decomposes to calcium oxide and carbon dioxide gas. In this reaction heat is needed, so it is an endothermic reaction.