Where is lead obtained from?

The lead (Pb) it's a chemical element of the Periodic table of the elements. It's a metal soft, ductile and malleable. It is also toxic, so ingestion should be avoided.

 Where is lead obtained from?

Much of the lead is extracted from underground mines. However, this metal is not in its elemental state, so there are several minerals which may contain lead, but there are basically three minerals that are used to extract it: galena, cerussite and anglesite.

In galena lead is found mainly in the form of lead (II) sulfide (PbS), in cerussite in the form of carbonates (PbCO₃) and in anglesite forming sulfates (PbSO₄). There are other minerals that contain lead, but they are less abundant.

The mineral from which lead is most extracted is galena, where it is found as lead (II) sulfide. This mineral contains 85% lead and the rest is sulfide, cadmium, antimony, bismuth, copper and silver. There are deposits of galena in Germany, Mexico, the United States, Spain and Australia.

To extract lead from galena

ovens are used where the ore (rock or mineral that contains a certain chemical element) is roasted and obtained oxide lead and a mix lead sulfates and silicates, as well as you go out of other metals that can appear in small quantities.

If lead is subjected to a furnace by calcination in this process, several pollutants: bismuth, arsenic, cadmium, copper, silver, gold and zinc. After obtaining a molten mass in a furnace that is called a reverberatory furnace with air, sulfur and steam, these manage to oxidize the polluting metals except for gold, silver and bismuth. The rest of the pollutants that float as waste are removed from the process.

Lead refining

To perform the lead refinementPine, lime, xanthate and alum oil are generally used. Limestone or iron ores are used in the baking process. This improves the baking process.

Lead recycling

Not all lead comes from mining. Only 50% of the obtaining of lead is derived from there; the other 50% comes from accumulator recycling (batteries) of automobiles.

Lead applications

The main use of lead is the manufacture of batteries or rechargeable batteries. In addition, today it is widely used as shielding for radiation protection, such as X-rays and gamma radiation, both in hospitals, as well as in laboratories and facilities nuclear. On the other hand, it is also used to cover television, telephone, internet and electricity cables.

Follow with: