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(a) (i) Name the furnaces used to produce any two of the following materials: Pig iron, High carbon steel, Cast iron - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question 2 - 2009
Question 2
(a) (i) Name the furnaces used to produce any two of the following materials: Pig iron, High carbon steel, Cast iron. (ii) With the aid of a suitable diagram desc... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) (i) Name the furnaces used to produce any two of the following materials: Pig iron, High carbon steel, Cast iron - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question 2 - 2009
Step 1
Step 2
With the aid of a suitable diagram describe one of the furnaces identified at 2(a)(i) above.
Answer
Description of the Blast Furnace
The Blast Furnace is a towering structure designed for smelting iron. The process begins by feeding iron ore, coke, and limestone into the top of the furnace. As the coke burns, it produces carbon monoxide, which reacts with the iron ore to extract iron.
Operation:
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Feeding: The materials are loaded into the furnace from the top.
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Combustion: As coke burns, temperatures rise to over 1500°C.
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Reduction: Carbon monoxide reacts with iron ore (Fe₂O₃) to produce molten iron and carbon dioxide:
ightarrow 2 ext{Fe} + 3 ext{CO}_2$$
- Slag Formation: Limestone combines with impurities to form slag, which floats above the molten iron.
Tapping: The molten iron is periodically tapped from the bottom of the furnace, while the slag is also removed as needed. This continuous process ensures a steady supply of molten iron, essential for various steel-making operations.