2006-10-19 23:48:58 · 3 answers · asked by vergil 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
If you are talking about the smelting process, then usually coke (carbon) is used to generate the Carbon monoxide which does the actual reducing.
2C + O2 --> 2CO (coke plus limited blast furnace air)
This Carbon monoxide (CO) is the prime reduction agent. The reduction happens in stages:
3 Fe2O3 + CO --> 2 Fe3O4 + CO2
Fe3O4 + CO --> 3 FeO + CO2
FeO + CO --> Fe + CO2
Different iron ores might have slightly different Iron oxides to reduce.
2006-10-19 23:54:48 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 67⤊ 2⤋
A reducing agent is the element or a compound in a redox (reduction-oxidation) reaction (see electrochemistry) that reduces another species. In doing so, it becomes oxidized, and is therefore the electron donor in the redox. eg
Fe+2 + 2e- = Fe -0.41
2006-10-19 23:51:53 · answer #2 · answered by ☺♥? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
carbon is a good reducing agent and will reduce the oxides of iron from their ores to iron will itsel is oxidised to carbon (iv) oxide.
2Fe2O3+3C----->4Fe+3CO2
2FeO+C----->2Fe+CO2
2006-10-20 00:03:44 · answer #3 · answered by jayscanty 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋