Question

explain the use of carbon & aluminium as reducing agent in metallurgical process. with exaples

Answer 1

Both carbon and aluminium can be used as reducing agents in obtaining iron from iron oxide. Carbon is used in the form of coke during the extraction of iron from Fe₂O₃ in the blast furnace. Following is the reaction that occurs

2Fe₂O₃ + 3C → 4Fe + 3CO₂

Similarly, aluminium can be used as reducing agent in order to obtain iron from iron oxide. This reaction is known as thermite reaction (reaction of metal oxide with the aluminium where the aluminium acts as a reducing agent). This reaction is highly exothermic.

The reaction involved can be shown as:

Fe₂O₃ + 2Al → 2Fe + Al₂O₃