The chemical processes in the production of steel from haematite ore involve
(a) reduction
(b) oxidation
(c) reduction followed by oxidation
(d) oxidation followed by reduction
The chemical processes involved in the production of steel from hematite ore involve:
(c) reduction followed by oxidation.
The production of steel from hematite ore begins with the reduction of iron oxide (hematite) to iron metal through a process called “smelting” or “direct reduction.” This process involves removing the oxygen from hematite to produce iron metal.
After the reduction process, the resulting iron metal is often impure and contains various impurities like carbon, silicon, and manganese. To convert this impure iron into steel, which is an alloy of iron and carbon, an additional step is required.
Following the reduction process, the impure iron is further refined through a process known as “oxidation” in a basic oxygen furnace or an electric arc furnace. During oxidation, impurities like carbon are burned off, and the desired amount of carbon is added back to create the specific grade and composition of steel required.
In summary, the chemical processes involved in the production of steel from hematite ore include reduction (to obtain iron metal) followed by oxidation (to refine the impure iron into steel).