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 Iron Tin Lead Copper These metals are more reactive than carbon so can’t 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 – Fe 2 O 3 this is the carbon – it is made from coal used to remove acidic impurities e.g. sand this reacts with the coke

4. The Blast Furnace iron ore, coke and limestone hot air molten iron molten slag waste gases 1500° C

5. Reactions in the Blast Furnace 1. Coke burns in air: The carbon dioxide then reacts with more coke: coke + oxygen carbon dioxide coke + carbon dioxide carbon monoxide 2. The carbon monoxide REDUCES iron oxide to iron: iron oxide + carbon monoxide iron + carbon dioxide Fe 2 O 3 + 3 CO 2 Fe + 3 CO 2 or The carbon (coke) REDUCES iron oxide to iron: iron oxide + carbon iron + carbon monoxide Fe 2 O 3 + 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.