Metals - Extractions And Uses

Question 1

Iron extracted

Answer 1

In a blast furnace

Carbon burns in a hot air blast to form carbon dioxide
The carbon dioxide reacts with more carbon to form carbon monoxide
The carbon monoxide reduces iron oxide to iron

Iron ore contains silicone oxide as an impurity. Limestone is added to remove this impurity

Question 2

Iron to steel

Answer 2

The molten iron is placed in the converter
Oxygen and powdered calcium oxide are blown onto the iron
Oxygen oxidises the carbon, phosphorus, silicon and sulphur in the iron to their oxide
CO2 and sulphur dioxide escape from the converter
Silicon and phosphorus oxides react with the calcium oxide to form a slag which is largely calcium silicate
The slag floats on the amount of oxygen blown on to the molten iron. The longer the oxygen ‘blows’ the more carbon is removed