Fuel is 'Coke' an impure form of carbon
Flux is 'Limestone' used to 'soak-up' other unwanted materials in the reduction process.
Also, Don't forget you also need HOT AIR'.
Coke, Limestone and haematite ore are intimately mixed. Then charged into the Blast Furnce. Where a Blast of Hot air blows through the mixture.
The first stage is that limestone thermally decomposes into calcium oxide (lime) and carbon dioxide. Concurrent the coke combines with the hit air to form more carbon dioxide. However, there is an excess of coke, so the carbon dioxide, is reduced to form carbon monoxide.
The second part of the process is that carbon monoxide reacts with the haematite to reduce the haematite to iron, and carbon dioxide.
The lime formed earlier reacts with any impurities present, notably silicon dioxide (sand) to form calcium silicate.
Here are the reaction eq'ns.
CaCO3 ==ht==> CaO + CO2
C + O2 = CO2
2CO2 + 2C(Excess coke) == 4CO
12CO + 4Fe2O3 = 12CO2 + 8Fe
CaO + SiO2(Impurites) = CaSiO3 (Slag).
The slag produced is used to make 'breeze blocks' for building , and for road surfaces.
Copyright © 2026 eLLeNow.com All Rights Reserved.