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Iron is the fourth-most common element in Earth's crust, and the second-most
common metal after aluminium. It is about 21% of total metal of Earth’s crust and 6.2% of
total elements. It belongs to transition group of the periodic table. Its electronic configuration
is 2,8,8,6,2. The element is found commonly in the Sun, asteroids, and stars.
The chemical symbol for iron, Fe, comes from the Latin name for the element, ferrum. The
most common ores of iron are hematite and limonite.
Three processes involved in the extraction of Iron ore, which are explained
below: -
Calcinated iron oxide is added in blast furnace along with coke. Coke
serves as fuel as well as reducing agent. Lime is also added in the blast furnace
which serves as flux. The following reactions take place in the furnance:
1
(a) At the base of the furnace: Coke reacts with oxygen to produce Carbon
dioxide which moves up and lot of heat is produced.
C + O2 CO2
Coke Oxygen Carbon dioxide
As the carbon dioxide moves upward it is brought in contact with coke and gets
converted into carbon monoxide.
C02 + C 2CO
Carbon Dioxide Coke 1475-1575K Carbon Monoxide
2
(c) At the top portion of the furnace :- In the top portion of furnace the
Iron(III) oxide react with carbon monoxide to give liquid iron which moves
towards the button of furnace and settled there. This iron is called cast
iron.