Extraction of Iron, Metals Recycling

Extraction of Iron Iron commonly exists as 2 3 and is extracted in a blast furnace 1) Coke, limestone and Haematite are added into the blast furnace Coke reacts with the oxygen in the blast furnace to form carbon dioxide () + 2() 2() Limestone will decompose thermally to produce more carbon dioxide 3() () + 2() 2) Carbon dioxide reacts with more coke to become carbon monoxide 2() + () 2() 3) Carbon monoxide will reduce haematite into molten iron 2 3() + 3() 2() + 32() 4) Impurites in haematite (silicon, sulphur, phosphorous etc) are removed by first blowing oxygen into the molten iron to change the impurities into oxides. The silicon oxide will then react with calcium oxide to produce molten slag. Slag floats on top of molten and will be removed through the blast furnace. Slag is used for road construction. () + 2() 3() *Steel Iron is commonly made into steel because is stronger (less brittle and more ductile) Type also called Characteristics Uses used to make car bodies, ships, railway lines Mild steel low carbon steel strong and malleable and steel rods harder than mild steel but Hard steel high carbon steel less malleable used to make tools and springs hard, shiny and doesn't used to make cutleries, medical instruments Stainless steel rust and chemical pipes Corrosion metals require water AND air to corrode (only iron can rust) Ways to prevent/reduce corrosion Surface protection Sacrificial protection Adding oil, paint, grease etc Galvanising iron (coating with zinc) Metal plating adding blocks of zinc or magnesium to steel/iron Advantages of recycling metals Saves cost of extracting metals Saves the earth due to less mining Conserve precious metals, i.e gold *Disadvantages of recycling metals Cost to separate metals from waste expensive Transport costs to collect scrap also high People are lazy (3) (4 (2

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