Question

Where do we use the washing method in our daily life? Give examples. How do you correlate this example with enrichment of ore?

Answer 1

We use washing methods to separate dust from rice, dal, vegetables, fruits etc. and to remove small impurities from ore. This process of removing the gangue from the ore is based on the physical and chemical properties of the ore.

Complete step by step answer:
In our daily life, we use the method of washing for utensils, clothes etc. but we know that we also use the method of washing to separate dust from rice, dal, vegetables, fruits etc. In the similar way, the washing method is used to remove small impurities from ore. This can be explained as follows:
Ore is the impure form of the metal. We do enrichment of ore to get the pure metal. Less density particles with less densities like dust are separated from more density particles like rice, vegetables etc. by the simple method of washing. In the similar way ore particles are kept on a sloppy surface and are washed with controlled flow of water to remove impurities. Impurities of less densities are carried away by water flow, leaving the ore particles of more density behind. The process of removing the gangue from the ore is based on the physical and chemical properties of the ore.
In the Washing method in Ores, first of all, the ore is crushed and then the physical process like hydraulic washing, magnetic separation and the froth floatation is carried out to remove impurities which are similar to washing of the daily life. Thus, in this way we can correlate washing methods with enrichment of ore.

Note: The different washing methods of Ores are as follows:
Hydraulic washing: It is based on the difference in gravity of the particles of the gangue and the ore. Magnetic Separation: It is based on the principle of magnetic properties of the ore components. Froth floatation process: It is a process for selectively separating hydrophobic materials from hydrophilic.