Producing Cobalt (Co)

Co: Cobalt

Brandt (Sweden) discovered in 1735.

Abundance: 29ppm(in the earth's crust)

Bake sulfide of copper (chalcopyrite) and nickel.

Co is contained in sulfides as minor component.

2CoS + 6O2 2CoO + 2SO2

Extract Co by dissolving in sulfuric acid.

CoO + H2SO4 CoSO4 + H2O

Add stepwisely calcium hydroxide and deposit it by separating other metals.

CoSO4 + Ca(OH)2 CaSO4 + 2OH + Co