The chemical processes in the production of steel from haematite ore involve:a)Reductionb)Oxidationc)Reduction followed by oxidationd)Oxidation followed by reductionCorrect answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

Answer

Chemical Processes in the Production of Steel from Haematite Ore

In the production of steel from haematite ore, several chemical processes are involved. These processes include reduction, oxidation, and oxidation followed by reduction. However, the correct answer to the question is option 'C', which states that the chemical processes involved are oxidation followed by reduction.

Explanation

Oxidation:

The first step in the production of steel from haematite ore is the oxidation of iron in the ore. Haematite ore is primarily composed of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). In this step, the iron(III) oxide is heated in the presence of oxygen, typically from air, to produce iron(III) oxide with a higher oxidation state. This process is represented by the following equation:

2Fe2O3 + O2 → 4Fe3O4

Reduction:

The next step involves the reduction of iron(III) oxide to iron. In this step, carbon monoxide (CO) is introduced to the system. The carbon monoxide acts as a reducing agent, meaning it donates electrons to the iron(III) oxide, causing it to be reduced. The reaction between carbon monoxide and iron(III) oxide can be represented as:

3Fe3O4 + 4CO → 3Fe + 4CO2

Oxidation Followed by Reduction:

After the initial reduction step, the produced iron still contains impurities such as carbon and other elements. To remove these impurities and achieve the desired steel composition, the iron undergoes another oxidation step. This step involves the introduction of oxygen or air into the system, which reacts with the impurities to form oxides. The equation for this oxidation process can be represented as:

Fe + O2 → FeO

Finally, the iron oxide formed in the oxidation step is reduced again using carbon monoxide, resulting in the production of pure iron. The equation for this reduction process is similar to the previous reduction step:

FeO + CO → Fe + CO2

These chemical processes involving oxidation followed by reduction are essential in the production of steel from haematite ore. They help in the removal of impurities and the conversion of iron(III) oxide into pure iron, which is the main component of steel.

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