Extraction

1
Extraction of Iron
2
As we have already discussed, carbon can be used
to extract any metal found below it in the
reactivity series.
Potassium Sodium Magnesium Aluminium Carbon Zinc I
ron Tin Lead Copper
These metals are more reactive than carbon so
cant be extracted.
These metals are less reactive than carbon so can
be extracted.
Since iron falls into this category then carbon
can be used to extract iron from iron ore.
3
A giant blast furnace is used to extract iron
from its ore. The following raw materials are
used

• iron ore
• coke
• limestone
• air

this is mainly a substance called haematite or
iron (III) oxide Fe2O3
this is the carbon it is made from coal
used to remove acidic impurities e.g. sand
this reacts with the coke
4
iron ore, coke and limestone
waste gases
1500 C
hot air
molten slag
molten iron
5
Reactions in the Blast Furnace
1. Coke burns in air
The carbon dioxide then reacts with more coke
2. The carbon monoxide REDUCES iron oxide to iron
or
The carbon (coke) REDUCES iron oxide to iron
Fe2O3 3 C 2 Fe 3 CO
6
Limestone reacts with any acidic impurities in
the blast furnace e.g. silicon dioxide in sand to
produce a substance called SLAG. The slag is
used for road-making.