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The Iron Blast Furnace: A Study in Chemical Thermodynamics

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Richard S. Treptow and Luckner Jean

Chicago State University, Department of Chemistry and Physics, Williams Science Center /309, 9501 S. King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628-1598

J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (1), p 43

DOI: 10.1021/ed075p43

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 1998

Section:

Extractive Metallurgy

Abstract

The smelting of iron ore into metallic iron was first accomplished by primitive blast furnaces approximately three thousand years ago. Improvements in the process over many centuries eventually led to the mass production of iron and to the industrial revolution.

The reactions of the blast furnace involve 1) combustion of the fuel and its conversion into carbon monoxide, 2) reduction of the ore, and 3) formation of slag. A reaction such as FeO + CO = Fe + CO₂ can occur in both the forward and backward direction under conditions existing somewhere in the blast furnace. To fully understand how the furnace accomplishes its goals we must study its processes form the perspective of chemical thermodynamics. Delta H, Delta S, and Delta G for each reaction are examined over a broad temperature range. These thermodynamic properties are interpreted on the molecular level and are then used to deduce the conditions necessary for the reactions to occur in their intended directions.

Keywords (Audience):

General Public

Keywords (Domain):

Inorganic Chemistry

Keywords (Subject):

Thermodynamics

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This article has been cited by 1 ACS Journal articles (1 most recent appear below).

The Production, Microstructure, and Properties of Wrought Iron
Robert Walker VII
Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (4), 443
- The Production, Microstructure, and Properties of Wrought Iron
  Robert Walker VII
  Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (4), 443
  This paper reviews the production of wrought iron from the ore, using charcoal as a fuel, and also from cast iron. The microstructure consists of an almost pure iron, ferrite, and a slag: the different forms of these are described and examples are given. ...
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