What are the different methods for the refining of metals?

The different methods of refining are -

i. Liquation –

The process of separating low melting metals from high melting impurities by providing temperature required for pure metal to flow down leaving behind impurities.

Examples: refining of tin and lead.

The diagram is shown below:

ii. Distillation – process where impure metal is heated to vaporise the low boiling metal leaving behind impurities and condensing the vapour to get pure metal.

Example: refining of zinc , cadmium, mercury

iii. Electrolytic refining – The process of electrolysis of metal-salt solution where pure metal is used as cathode and impure metal is used as anode.

Example – copper and silver are refined using this method.