extraction of Iron - hematite

Question 1

name the ore used for iron extraction

Answer 1

hematite

Question 2

list the raw materials in iron extraction

Answer 2

• iron ore
• coke
• limestone
• air

Question 3

describe stage 1 including reactions

Answer 3

coke is used as the starting material, it burns in oxygen to form carbon dioxide
C + O2 → 2CO
solid + gas → gas

Question 4

describe stage 2 including reactions

Answer 4

at high temperatures carbon dioxide reacts with coke to form carbon monoxide
CO2 + C → 2CO
gas + solid → gas

Question 5

describe stage 3 including reactions

Answer 5

carbon monoxide reduces the iron (III) oxide to form iron which will melt and collect at the bottom of the furnace where it is tapped off:
Fe2O3 + 3CO → 2Fe(II) + 3CO2
solid + gas → liquid + gas
limestone is added to the furnace to remove impurities in the ore; the calcium carbonate in the limestone decomposes to form calcium oxide
CaCO3 → CaO + CO2
solid → solid + gas
then the calcium oxide reacts with silicon dioxide which is an impurity in the iron ore to form calcium silicate. this melts and collects as slag at the bottom of the furnace and floats on top of the iron which is tapped of separately
CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3
solid + solid → liquid