Question

Which of the following reactions can take place in the reverberatory furnace?
A.$ZnO + C \to Zn + CO$
B.$2C{u_2}S + 3{O_2} \to 2C{u_2}O + 2S{O_2}$
C.$HgS + {O_2} \to Hg + S{O_2}$
D.$PbC{O_3} \to PbO + C{O_2}$

Answer 1

To answer this question, you must recall a reverberatory furnace. Reverberatory furnace is a metallurgical furnace in which the fuel is not in direct contact with ore. Conversion of sulphides into oxides takes place in the furnace.

Complete step by step solution:
In a reverberatory furnace, heat energy is passed over the hearth consisting of the ore mixture. The heat is mainly transferred through the method of radiation from refractory bricks that make up the walls and the roof of the furnace. Heat is also supplied to the ore by a burner. The roof of the furnace is slightly arched in shape and is slanted towards the bridge of flues in order to deflect the flame for reverberation. The mixture is heated till it melts completely.
The molten impure metal is collected in the thick hearth. The hearth is made of a strong material that can resist disintegration that may possibly occur from the slag. The collected material is finally sent to a converter for further refining of the metal.
Reverberatory furnace is generally used in the extraction process of copper, tin and nickel production.
So the reaction taking place in the reverberatory furnace is:
$2C{u_2}S + 3{O_2} \to 2C{u_2}O + 2S{O_2}$.
Oxygen is passed through the copper ore converting cuprous sulphide to cuprous oxide.

Hence, the correct option is B.

Note:
Reverberatory furnaces are advantageous for the refinement of ores as they provide high volume processing rates and have lower maintenance and operating costs. However it is less efficient and has a higher metal oxidation rate. Also it requires a large space to be set up. These features make it unsuitable for use.