Question

What are the major products and by-products of blast furnace in the extraction of iron?

Short answer

Answer: The major products of the blast furnace in the extraction of iron are iron (Fe) and slag. The by-products include carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Blast Furnace Process

The blast furnace is a large structure used for extracting iron from its ore (Iron(III) oxide or hematite, Fe2O3). The furnace works by adding a mixture of iron ore, coke (carbon), and limestone (calcium carbonate) at the top, and applying a high temperature at the bottom. As a result, the iron ore is reduced to its elemental form, and impurities are removed as slag.

Major Products of the Blast Furnance Process

Two major products are produced in the blast furnace: 1. Iron (Fe): Iron is the primary product of the blast furnace process. The iron is reduced from its oxide form, Fe2O3, to its elemental form by the carbon monoxide (CO) produced from the combustion of coke. This chemical reaction can be represented as: Fe2O3 + 3CO \rightarrow 2Fe + 3CO2 2. Slag: Slag is a by-product formed in the blast furnace during the extraction of iron. It consists of impurities like silicon dioxide (SiO2) and other gangue materials, which are removed from the ore. The slag is produced when the limestone (CaCO3) reacts with the impurities of the ore and forms calcium silicate (CaSiO3), which is less dense than the molten iron and floats on the top. This reaction can be represented as: CaCO3(s) + SiO2(s) \rightarrow CaSiO3(l) + CO2(g)

Minor By-Products of the Blast Furnace Process

Apart from the major products, some minor by-products are also formed in the blast furnace. These are mainly essential components that ensure the smooth functioning of the process. Some of these minor by-products include: 1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide is produced as a by-product during the reduction of iron ore by carbon monoxide: Fe2O3 + 3CO \rightarrow 2Fe + 3CO2 2. Carbon Monoxide (CO): Carbon monoxide is produced when coke (C) burns in the presence of oxygen: 2C + O2 \rightarrow 2CO Additionally, carbon dioxide (CO2) can also react with more coke to form carbon monoxide: CO2 + C \rightarrow 2CO These reactions show that carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are present in the blast furnace and play critical roles in the extraction of iron. In conclusion, the major products of the blast furnace in the extraction of iron are iron (Fe) and slag, while the by-products include carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).