Extracting Iron from Iron Ore in a Blast Furnace
Extracting Iron from Iron Ore in a Blast Furnace
The metal iron and its alloy steel is one of the most important substances used by man. Humans have been discovering the metal’s uses science 3500BC. Huge quantities are used in the construction industry to construct of all kinds of vehicles. The most common from of iron known is the oxide. The Iron is extracted from the ore that contains the most amount of iron.
The iron is extracted from its oxide ore called Hematite. Many things are produced in the extracting or iron from iron ore in a blast furnace. The iron ore is reacted with carbon and oxygen in the furnace to produce carbon dioxide and iron metal. Carbon monoxide is also produced so that it can react with the iron ore to produce the iron. At the end, there is left the molten iron and the slag.
The top of the furnace is filled up with the iron ore, coke (made by heating coal) and limestone.
The coke, iron ore and limestone are dropped down as a blast of hot air from the furnace is sent up. This makes the coke burn.
This gives the following chemical equation: C + O2 CO2.
While this chemical reaction is taking place, the limestone is being decomposed in a highly exothermic reaction. Exothermic is a chemical change that is accompanied by a liberation of heat. The chemical equation for this reaction is: CaCO3 CaO + CO2.
The carbon dioxide produced from both reactions reacts with the unreacted coke to produce carbon monoxide. The chemical equation for this reaction is: C + CO2 2CO.
After the carbon monoxide is produced, it reacts with the iron ore to produce iron and carbon dioxide. This reaction has the following chemical equation: Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2. The molten iron settles to the bottom of the furnace where it is tapped off. The last reaction that happens in the furnace is the forming of slag. Calcium oxide and the impurities from the iron ore react to from this slag. The chemical equation for this reaction is the following: CaO+ SiO2
The metal iron and its alloy steel is one of the most important substances used by man. Humans have been discovering the metal’s uses science 3500BC. Huge quantities are used in the construction industry to construct of all kinds of vehicles. The most common from of iron known is the oxide. The Iron is extracted from the ore that contains the most amount of iron.
The iron is extracted from its oxide ore called Hematite. Many things are produced in the extracting or iron from iron ore in a blast furnace. The iron ore is reacted with carbon and oxygen in the furnace to produce carbon dioxide and iron metal. Carbon monoxide is also produced so that it can react with the iron ore to produce the iron. At the end, there is left the molten iron and the slag.
The top of the furnace is filled up with the iron ore, coke (made by heating coal) and limestone.
The coke, iron ore and limestone are dropped down as a blast of hot air from the furnace is sent up. This makes the coke burn.
This gives the following chemical equation: C + O2 CO2.
While this chemical reaction is taking place, the limestone is being decomposed in a highly exothermic reaction. Exothermic is a chemical change that is accompanied by a liberation of heat. The chemical equation for this reaction is: CaCO3 CaO + CO2.
The carbon dioxide produced from both reactions reacts with the unreacted coke to produce carbon monoxide. The chemical equation for this reaction is: C + CO2 2CO.
After the carbon monoxide is produced, it reacts with the iron ore to produce iron and carbon dioxide. This reaction has the following chemical equation: Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2. The molten iron settles to the bottom of the furnace where it is tapped off. The last reaction that happens in the furnace is the forming of slag. Calcium oxide and the impurities from the iron ore react to from this slag. The chemical equation for this reaction is the following: CaO+ SiO2
References: * "Henry Bessemer." Infoplease. Ed. Highbeam Reasearch. Infoplease, 2005. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0906792.html>. * Clark, Jim. "Iron and Steel." Iron and Steel. 2005. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.chemguide.co.uk/inorganic/extraction/iron.html>. * Environment Engineering Solution. "Minerals, Mines, Metals and Equipments." : Extraction of Iron Using Blast Furnace and Various Types of Steel:. Blogger, 2008. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://minmetandeqip.blogspot.com.au/2008/02/extraction-of-iron-using-blast-furnace.html>. * Museums in Redcar. “What is Iron used for?” date unknown. Web. 22 May 2012. <http://www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk/rcbcmuseums.nsf/Web?ReadForm&id=21948F5EE7F718EF8025767300528A18>