Question

In the extraction of Iron from Haematite Fe₂O₃, the ore is calcinated before smelting – True or False?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is A

True

Haematite also contains traces of $FeO$ and $F{e}_3{O}_4$ _. In the smelting process, where the iron oxide is reduced to metallic molten iron, slag is formed by the action of $Si{O}_2$ on $CaO$. In case there are traces of $FeO$ or $F{e}_3{O}_4$ _, then $Si{O}_2$ can combine with $FeO$ and form $FeSi{O}_3$ and this would result in the loss of percentage of Iron. Hence Iron ore is calcinated just before smelting and this converts the traces of $FeO$ or $F{e}_3{O}_4$ to $F{e}_2{O}_3$ .

Also moisture is removed as:

$F{e}_2{O}_3.x{H}_{2}O\left(s\right)\to F{e}_2{O}_3\left(s\right)+x{H}_{2}O$