Question

Explain the zone of reduction in the extraction of iron from haematite in the blast furnace.

Answer 1

Zone of reduction: At about 900°C, CO reduces Fe₂O₃ to spongy iron.

Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO

Carbon also reduces partially Fe₂O₃ to Fe

Fe₂O₃ + 3C → 2Fe + 3CO