How is iron produced?

Iron is produced through a redox reaction inside a blast furnace.

The Iron Production Process

The entire process takes place in a blast furnace and involves specific raw materials.

Key Components

The blast furnace is loaded with the following materials at the top:

• Iron Ore: Most commonly hematite (Fe₂O₃), but magnetite (Fe₃O₄) can also be used.
• Coke: A carbon source, which acts as a reducing agent.
• Limestone (CaCO₃): Used as a flux to remove impurities.

Redox Reaction

The redox reaction is crucial in extracting iron from its ore. Coke (carbon) reacts with oxygen to produce carbon monoxide, which then reduces the iron oxide to iron.

• Reduction: Iron oxide (Fe₂O₃ or Fe₃O₄) gains electrons and is converted into iron.
• Oxidation: Carbon loses electrons and is oxidized to carbon monoxide and then carbon dioxide.

Inside the Blast Furnace

The high temperature inside the furnace facilitates these chemical reactions. Molten iron collects at the bottom of the furnace and is tapped off.

Simplified Chemical Equations

The following equations represent the fundamental chemical reactions:

1. C + O₂ → CO₂
2. CO₂ + C → 2CO
3. Fe₂O₃ + 3CO → 2Fe + 3CO₂
4. Fe₃O₄ + 4CO → 3Fe + 4CO₂