In the manufacture of iron from haematite,the function of limestone is as

A reducing agent

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Flux

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Slag

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Gangue

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Solution

The correct option is B Flux
Iron is extracted from its oxide ore (haematite) in blast furnance.
In blast furnance,
At 500-800 K, iron oxide get reduced only by CO.
$3 F e_{2} O_{3} + C O \to 2 F e_{3} O_{4} + C O_{2}$
$F e_{3} O_{4} + 4 C O \to 3 F e + 4 C O_{2}$
$F e_{2} O_{3} + C O \to 2 F e O + C O_{2}$

At 900-1500 K, iron oxide is reduced by both C and CO.
$C + C O_{2} \to 2 C O$
$F e O + C O \to F e + 2 C O$

Limestone is added to the furnance to remove the $S i O_{2}$ as slag $(C a S i O_{3})$

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