During the Mac-Arthur Forrest cyanide process for extracting Silver from Argentite (), a continuous — Metallurgy and Isolation of Elements Chemistry Question
Question
During the Mac-Arthur Forrest cyanide process for extracting Silver from Argentite ($Ag_2S$), a continuous blast of air ($O_2$) is maintained in the leaching tank. What is the primary thermodynamic/chemical purpose of this oxygen blast?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
The leaching reaction $Ag_2S + 4NaCN \rightleftharpoons 2Na[Ag(CN)_2] + Na_2S$ is highly reversible. Oxygen is blown in to selectively oxidize the $Na_2S$ product into sodium thiosulphate and sodium sulphate. According to Le Chatelier's principle, removing the product drives the reaction to completion.
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