Question

(a) In the basic oxygen process for steel formation, what reactions cause the temperature in the converter to increase? (b) Write balanced chemical equations for the oxidation of carbon, sulfur, and silicon in the converter.

Short answer

In the basic oxygen process for steel formation, the temperature in the converter increases due to the exothermic oxidation reactions of carbon, sulfur, and silicon. The balanced chemical equations for these oxidation reactions are: (a) Carbon oxidation: \(C (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow CO_2 (g)\) (b) Sulfur oxidation: \(S (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow SO_2 (g)\) (c) Silicon oxidation: \(Si (s) + O_2 (g) \rightarrow SiO_2 (s)\)

Step-by-step solution

1. Basic Oxygen Process

The basic oxygen process, also known as basic oxygen steelmaking, is a technique used to convert pig iron into steel by blowing oxygen through a converter containing molten pig iron. The pig iron is a mixture of carbon, sulfur, and silicon with iron. As the oxygen reacts with these impurities, they are oxidized, producing heat and raising the converter's temperature.

2. Reactions Causing Temperature Increase

The main reactions responsible for the temperature increase in the converter are the oxidation of carbon, sulfur, and silicon. These impurities reacting with oxygen form carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and silicon dioxide, respectively. As these reactions are exothermic, they release heat, causing the converter's temperature to increase.

3. Balanced Chemical Equations

Now let's write the balanced chemical equations for the oxidation of carbon, sulfur, and silicon: (a) Oxidation of Carbon: C (s) + O2 (g) -> CO2 (g) (b) Oxidation of Sulfur: S (s) + O2 (g) -> SO2 (g) (c) Oxidation of Silicon: Si (s) + O2 (g) -> SiO2 (s) These balanced chemical equations represent the reactions happening inside the converter during the basic oxygen process, leading to the formation of steel.