Question

I calculated feta G for both the combustion of iron oxide and the combustion of Carbon. I need to calculate at what temperature is the reaction spontaneous using both those reactions. And then why is having a carbon source important to refining iron?

Answer 1

rBy knowing G for combustion of iron oxide and combustion of carbon, you can not get temperature at which reaction is spontaneous.

For refining iron, raw materials needed are coke, iron ore and sinter, limestone.Here fine iron ore is roasted with coke and lime to remove a large number of impurities in the ore. When the iron ore is heated up to over 900^o C in the furnace along with coke, the iron will melt and carbon will combine with the oxygen atoms and forms different gases like carbon monoxide and carbon-di-oxide. The furnace for iron ore is built in a particular way so that these gases will escape from the top through a chimney. The iron settles down in the furnace along with the silicates. The silicates are not removed in this process as carbon will not bind with them.

I think you get your answer. Happy Learning