Chemistry IGCSE Higher Iron Extraction

Charge (made up of hematite - iron ore, limestone and coke)

Burns

Forming Carbon Dioxide

carbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide

C_(s) + O_{2 (g)} -> CO_{2 (g)}

Coke (coal)

Reacts with the carbon dioxide

Creating carbon monoxide

 - The energy from the reaction comes from the furnace heat

carbon + carbon dioxide -> carbon monoxide

C_(s) + CO_{2 (g)} -> 2CO_(g)

Iron

Reacts with carbon monoxide (a reducing agent)

To form liquid iron

carbon + oxygen -> carbon dioxide

Fe₂O_{3 (s)} + 3CO_(g) -> 2Fe_(l) + 3CO_{2 (g)}

Limestone

Breaks down to calcium oxide

Which reacts with sand

To form calcium silicate

limestone -> calcium oxide + carbon dioxide

CaCO_3(s)  -> CaO _(s) + CO_{2 (g)}

calcium oxide + silica -> calcium silicate

CO_(s) + SiO_{2 (s)} -> CaSiO_{3 (s)}

Waste gases such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen

Rise to the top and heat incoming air