Extraction of Iron from

Hematite
The extraction of iron from hematite in a blast furnace is a multi-step process
involving several chemical reactions. Here's a detailed description of each
step:

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(a) The Burning of Carbon (Coke)
1. **Preheating the Furnace:** The process begins by preheating the blast furnace. Air
is blown into the bottom of the furnace to provide oxygen for combustion. This air is
preheated to increase efficiency.

2. **Combustion of Coke:** Coke, a form of carbon, is the primary source of heat in the
blast furnace. It is ignited by the preheated air and burns in the presence of oxygen to
produce carbon dioxide (CO2).
- Chemical Reaction: C (s) + O2 (g) → CO2 (g)
- This combustion reaction provides the high temperatures needed for subsequent
reactions.

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(b) The Reduction of Carbon Dioxide to Carbon
Monoxide**
3. **Reduction of Carbon Dioxide:** The hot carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in the
combustion of coke rises through the furnace. At higher levels in the furnace, carbon
dioxide reacts with more coke to produce carbon monoxide (CO) through a process
called the Boudouard reaction.

- Chemical Reaction: 2CO2 (g) ⇌ 2CO (g)

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(c) The Reduction of Iron(III) Oxide by Carbon
Monoxide**
4. **Reduction of Iron(III) Oxide:** Iron ore, typically hematite (Fe2O3), is fed into the top of the
blast furnace. As it descends through the furnace, it encounters the carbon monoxide (CO)
produced earlier, which acts as a reducing agent.
- Chemical Reaction: 3Fe2O3 (s) + CO (g) → 2Fe3O4 (s) + CO2 (g)
- This reaction reduces iron(III) oxide to iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4), also known as "sponge iron" or
"iron sponge."

5. **Further Reduction:** The iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4) is then reduced further by carbon monoxide
to form molten iron (Fe) and more carbon dioxide.
- Chemical Reaction: 3Fe3O4 (s) + 4CO (g) → 9Fe (l) + 4CO2 (g)

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(d) The Thermal Decomposition of Calcium
Carbonate (Limestone)**
6. **Thermal Decomposition of Calcium Carbonate (Limestone):** Limestone (CaCO3) is added to
the furnace as a flux. It serves two main purposes:
- It decomposes at high temperatures, releasing carbon dioxide and forming calcium oxide
(quicklime).

- The calcium oxide reacts with impurities, such as silica (SiO2), to form a slag, which is less dense
than molten iron and floats on top of it.
- Chemical Reaction: CaCO3 (s) → CaO (s) + CO2 (g)

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(e) The Formation of Slag**
7. **Formation of Slag:** The calcium oxide (CaO) produced in the thermal decomposition of
limestone reacts with impurities and forms a slag. The slag is less dense than molten iron and floats
on top, allowing it to be easily separated.
- The slag primarily consists of calcium silicate (CaSiO3) and other impurities.
- The slag also helps protect the furnace lining from excessive heat and erosion.

At this point, the molten iron and slag are tapped from the bottom of the blast furnace. The molten
iron can be further processed and refined to obtain various grades of iron and steel, while the slag
can be used in construction materials. The blast furnace process is a crucial step in the production
of iron and steel on an industrial scale.

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