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Question
Write chemical reactions taking place in the extraction of iron from its ore.
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Solution
The chief ore of iron is Haematite (Fe2O3). In the blast furnace, the following reactions take place:
Combustion reactions (lower part of furnace): Carbon monoxide is formed, which acts as the main reducing agent.
\[\ce{C + O2 -> CO2}\]
\[\ce{CO2 + C -> 2CO}\]
Reduction reactions (upper part of furnace): Haematite is stepwise reduced to metallic iron.
\[\ce{3Fe2O3 + CO -> 2Fe3O4 + CO2}\]
\[\ce{Fe3O4 + CO -> 3FeO + CO2}\]
\[\ce{FeO + CO -> Fe + CO2}\]
Slag formation reactions: Flux removes gangue by forming slag.
\[\ce{CaCO3 -> CaO + CO2}\]
\[\ce{CaO + SiO2 -> CaSiO3}\]
Reduction of other impurities:
\[\ce{SiO2 + 2C -> Si + 2CO}\]
\[\ce{P4O10 + 10C -> 4P + 10CO}\]
\[\ce{MnO2 + 2C -> Mn + 2CO}\]
