The zinc oxide production process is far from simple. The production of this raw material cannot be done carelessly and can only be carried out by manufacturers.
This is because the manufacturing process takes a considerable amount of time. Additionally, the production tools required must also be sophisticated.
This Is How Zinc Oxide Production Process Is Done
Zinc oxide (ZnO) is an inorganic compound. Its form is very simple, consisting of a white powder with versatile chemical and physical properties.
This material is formed from a combination of zinc and oxygen. This makes it very stable at high temperatures.
In fact, this material is also known for its high adsorption capacity. The uses of zinc oxide are very diverse and interesting.
There are several key properties of zinc oxide that make it truly remarkable, as follows:
- Thermal stability: Able to withstand extreme temperatures without losing its physical properties.
- Adsorption capacity: Absorbs pollutants and harmful compounds, making it an ideal solution for wastewater treatment or as a cosmetic base material.
- Anti-corrosion properties: Protects mining equipment from damage caused by exposure to harsh environmental conditions.
- Chemical Reactivity: Capable of interacting with other materials to accelerate mineral separation processes and neutralize waste.
There are no primary production methods for this material. Here’s a more detailed explanation.
Direct Method (American process)
If this zinc oxide production process has an Industrial Grade, the raw materials used in the direct method are zinc-containing ores, wastes, or residues.
The process involves melting zinc metal until it vaporizes. After that, the vapor is oxidized in hot air to form fine ZnO powder.
The characteristic of ZnO in this material is that it is efficient and high-quality. This zinc oxide is often used for industrial applications.
Indirect Method (French Process)
This method is known for its high purity, using high-purity zinc metal as the material. The process is also quite interesting because it’s quite unique. First, the ore is preheated to produce zinc vapor. After that, the vapor is oxidized and collected to form ZnO.
This method is similar to the American Process but with different stages. The initial material used in this method is high-purity zinc metal.
Wet Chemistry Method
This last method is quite different from the previous two. The main raw materials in the process are soluble zinc compounds (e.g., zinc sulfate) and strong bases (e.g., sodium hydroxide).
The process involves zinc compounds being reacted to precipitate zinc hydroxide or carbonate. After that, the precipitate is dried and calcined.
The characteristics of this wet chemical method are that it provides better control over particle size and purity. This method is ideal for nano-ZnO, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
By going through the zinc oxide production process, the material will change into powder form. This makes zinc oxide suitable for use in the mining industry, construction, and even cosmetics.