Lead contained

Crude lead contains traces of a number of metals. The desilvering of lead is considered later under silver (Chapter 14). Other metallic impurities are removed by remelting under controlled conditions when arsenic and antimony form a scum of lead(II) arsenate and antimonate on the surface while copper forms an infusible alloy which also takes up any sulphur, and also appears on the surface. The removal of bismuth, a valuable by-product, from lead is accomplished by making the crude lead the anode in an electrolytic bath consisting of a solution of lead in fluorosilicic acid. Gelatin is added so that a smooth coherent deposit of lead is obtained on the pure lead cathode when the current is passed. The impurities here (i.e. all other metals) form a sludge in the electrolytic bath and are not deposited on the cathode. 

The lead contains residual calcium and magnesium that must be removed by chlorination or treatment with caustic and niter. The molten lead is pumped or laundered to the casting kettles in which it is again treated with caustic and niter prior to mol ding, After a final drossing, the refined lead is cast into 45-kg pigs or 1- and 2-t blocks. 

Lead-loaded plastics containing up to 90 wt % lead are used in x-ray protection as aprons and temporary shields in medical and industrial appHcations. Leaded glass is used to attenuate radiation where viewing the ongoing process is requited. Steel-jacketed containers fihed with lead or special lead containers are used to transfer, ship, and store fuel rods, radioactive sources, and nuclear waste. Lead is generahy used where space is limited. 

Lead is absorbed into the human body after inhalation of the dust or ingestion of lead-containing products. Contamination of smoking materials in the work area leads to inhalation of lead fumes and constitutes a main factor in lead absorption. 

Volatilization. In this simplest separation process, the impurity or the base metal is removed as a gas. Lead containing small amounts of zinc is refined by batch vacuum distillation of the zinc. Most of the zinc produced by smelting processes contains lead and cadmium. Cmde zinc is refined by a two-step fractional distillation. In the first column, zinc and cadmium are volatilized from the lead residue, and in the second column cadmium is removed from the zinc (see Zinc and zinc alloys). 

Lead Whites. Basic lead carbonate, sulfate, siHcosulfate, and dibasic lead phosphite are commonly referred to as lead whites. Usage is limited because of environmental restrictions placed on the use of lead-containing compounds. 

When these pigments are used with lead-containing glazes, care should be exercised to use lead-safe glaze materials (see Lead compounds, industrial toxicology). 

A.sahi Chemical EHD Processes. In the late 1960s, Asahi Chemical Industries in Japan developed an alternative electrolyte system for the electroreductive coupling of acrylonitrile. The catholyte in the Asahi divided cell process consisted of an emulsion of acrylonitrile and electrolysis products in a 10% aqueous solution of tetraethyl ammonium sulfate. The concentration of acrylonitrile in the aqueous phase for the original Monsanto process was 15—20 wt %, but the Asahi process uses only about 2 wt %. Asahi claims simpler separation and purification of the adiponitrile from the catholyte. A cation-exchange membrane is employed with dilute sulfuric acid in the anode compartment. The cathode is lead containing 6% antimony, and the anode is the same alloy but also contains 0.7% silver (45). The current efficiency is of 88—89%, with an adiponitrile selectivity of 91%. This process, started by Asahi in 1971, at Nobeoka City, Japan, is also operated by the RhcJ)ne Poulenc subsidiary, Rhodia, in Bra2il under Hcense from Asahi. 

Lead Combustion of leaded petrol Solder, lead-containing paint Lead smelting Adverse health effects... 

Requirements for protecting the health of workers exposed to lead including lead alloys, lead compounds and lead containing substances. A risk assessment is necessary. 

There is an accelerating trend away from the use of lead-containing solders in contact with potable water. The effects of galvanic corrosion of one of the substitute alloys (Sn3%Ag) in contact with a number of other metals including copper have therefore been studied . The corrosion of tin/Iead alloys in different electrolytes including nitrates, nitric and acetic acids, and citric acid over the pH range 2-6 were reported. The specific alloy Pb/15%Sn was studied in contact with aqueous solutions in the pH range... 

Soldered joints present their own characteristic corrosion problems usually in the form of dissimilar metal attack often aided by inadequate flux removal after soldering. Such joints have always been a source of concern to the electrical industry. Lead-containing solders must be used with caution for some types of electrical connection since PbfOHjj.PbCOj may be found as a corrosion product and can interrupt current flow. Indium has been found to be a useful addition to Sn-Pb solders to improve their corrosion resistanceHowever, in view of the toxicity of lead and its alloys, the use of lead solders, particularly in contact with potable waters and foodstuff s, is likely to decline. 

The toxicity of lead-containing greases has led to alternative products being used for the protection of components where the product is likely to come in contact with rubber. Of those products considered silicone-based greases have been found to be particularly suitable and their application to hydraulic equipment components such as brake cylinders, where they can provide internal protection against corrosion both during transit and use, has been found particularly beneficial. 

Procedure. Dissolve 0.0079 g of pure lead nitrate in 1 L of water in a graduated flask. To 10.0 mL of this solution (containing about 50 p.g of lead) contained in a 250 mL separatory funnel, add 75 mL of ammonia-cyanide-sulphite mixture (Note 1), adjust the pH of the solution to 9.5 (pH meter) by the cautious addition of hydrochloric acid (CARE ), then add 7.5 mL of a 0.005 per cent solution of dithizone in chloroform (Note 2), followed by 17.5 mL of chloroform. Shake for 1 minute, and allow the phases to separate. Determine the absorbance at 510 nm against a blank solution in a 1.0 cm absorption cell. A further extraction of the same solution gives zero absorption indicative of the complete extraction of the lead. Almost the same absorbance is obtained in the presence of 100 pg of copper ion and 100 pg of zinc ion. 

Example 3-5 Polarogram A was obtained for a lOmL lead-containing sample. The limiting current increased (to B) after adding 100 pL of a 0.10 m lead standard to the 10 ml sample. Calculate the original lead concentration in the sample. 

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