Extraction of iron from haematite

By: Furqan Raqeeb Farhan

Extraction of metals

Most metals do not exist in nature as pure elements. Instead, they are found as naturally occurring compounds called ores. Ores are naturally occurring minerals from which a metal can be extracted. Most ores are metals oxide, carbonate or sulfide mixed with other impurities. The method extracting a metal depends on its reactivity.

Extraction of iron from haematite

The ore of iron is called hematite. It consists of 60% iron in form of Iron oxide (Fe2O3) with other impurities such as silicon oxide (SiO2). This process takes place in a tower called a Blast furnace.

Haematite (iron ore)

Blast furnace

The process

The substances :

Substances are put in the blast furnace The process starts by blowing in hot air at the bottom of the furnace Coke burns in oxygen from the hot air producing carbon dioxide; C + O2 CO2 Heat makes lime stone decompose into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide; CaCO3 CaO + CO2 Carbon dioxide produced goes up the furnace and reacts with more coke up there producing carbon monoxide; CO2 + C 2CO Carbon monoxide is a reducing agent. It rises further up the furnace where it meets iron oxide and starts reducing it producing iron and carbon dioxide; Fe2O3 + 3CO 2Fe + 3CO2 Calcium oxide which was produced from the thermal decomposition of lime stone is a base. It reacts with impurities of hematite such as silicon oxide which is acidic forming calcium silicate which is called slag; CaO + SiO2 CaSiO3

Molten Iron and slag produced trickles down and settles at the bottom of the furnace. Iron is denser than slag so it settles beneath it. Iron and slag are tapped off separately at regular intervals and pure iron is collected alone
Waste gases such as carbon dioxide formed in the process and nitrogen and other gases from air blown in escape at the top of the