Pig iron is the name given toa)raw material for blast furnaceb)product...
Pig iron is the name given to:
Pig iron is a term used in the iron and steel industry to refer to a specific product obtained from the blast furnace process. It is an intermediate product that serves as a raw material for the production of various types of iron and steel products. The correct answer to the question is option B, which states that pig iron is the product of the blast furnace made by the reduction of iron ore.
Explanation:
The process of producing pig iron involves the reduction of iron ore in a blast furnace. Here is a detailed explanation of the process and the characteristics of pig iron:
1. Raw material for blast furnace:
- Iron ore, coke (a form of carbon derived from coal), and limestone are the primary raw materials used in a blast furnace.
- Iron ore is the main source of iron and contains various impurities such as silica, alumina, and phosphorus.
- Coke is used as a fuel and provides the necessary heat for the chemical reactions in the furnace.
- Limestone acts as a flux, helping to remove impurities and adjust the chemical composition of the molten iron.
2. Blast furnace process:
- The raw materials are charged into the blast furnace from the top.
- The furnace is heated to a high temperature, typically around 1600°C (2900°F).
- The coke reacts with the oxygen in the air to produce carbon monoxide, which acts as a reducing agent.
- The carbon monoxide reacts with the iron ore, reducing the iron oxide to metallic iron.
- The impurities present in the iron ore combine with the flux to form slag, which floats on top of the molten iron.
3. Pig iron production:
- The molten iron collected at the bottom of the blast furnace is known as pig iron.
- Pig iron is highly carbon-rich, containing around 4-5% carbon along with other impurities.
- It has a high melting point and is quite brittle.
- Pig iron is not suitable for most applications directly but serves as a key raw material for further refining processes to produce various types of iron and steel products.
In summary, pig iron is an intermediate product obtained from the blast furnace process by reducing iron ore with carbon monoxide. It is a carbon-rich form of iron that requires further processing to remove impurities and adjust its composition for specific applications in the iron and steel industry.