Extraction of Iron Metal

Teacher Training
Under Digital Equalizer Program
Shaheed Lance-Naik Ranjodh Singh
Govt. Sr. Sec. School, Teur (SAS Nagar)
 Extraction of Metals
The earth’s crust is the major source of metals.
Rocks containing iron ore.

Mining of ore.
The inorganic materials present in the earth’s
crust are known as minerals. At some places,
minerals contain a very high percentage of a
particular metal. These minerals from which
metals can be extracted profitably are known
as ores.
 The volcano eruption
from the interior of earth
also contains many types
of metals

For example: Iron, Copper,

Aluminium etc.
The ores contains many impurities like sand,
stones etc, are known as gangue.
The ore is first mined from the ground.
The extraction of metals from their ores and
then refining is known as metallurgy.
Three steps of Metallurgy are as follows:-

Metallurgy

Refining
Enrichment
Of
Of Reduction
The
ores
Metal (Iron)
Enrichment of Ores

The processes used for removing gangue from

the ore are based on the differences between
the physical or chemical properties of the
gangue and the ore.
Iron is the second most abundant
metal in the earth’s crust. It is highly
reactive , so it is found in the form
of Oxides, Carbonates and Sulphides.
 Hydraulic Washing
The chief source of iron is haematite (Fe2O3).
First of all the ore is concentrated by
hydraulic washing.

Light
impurities
lying on the
surface of
water.
Froth Floatation

Sulphide ores of iron are concentrated by using froth

floatation process.
Electromagnetic Separation

Impurties from the iron ores can be seperated by using

Electromagnetic seperation method.
Refining of
IRON Ore
In a big furnace which is made of steel and the inner
region are lined with fireproof bricks. The iron ore is
mixed with Coke and Lime stone to from a mixture called
Charge.
The charge is then introduced into the furnace from top.
A blast of hot air is blown in through the base of the
furnace.
 The reactions taking place are :-
Coke + Oxygen →Carbon dioxide + Large amount of heat

Carbondioxide
Mixture of Iron
ore, Coke and
Calcium Carbonate

Oxygen
 The large amount of heat produced initiates the
reduction of Calcium Carbonate
CaCO3 (S) → CaO + CO2(g)

Mixture of Iron Carbondioxide

ore, Coke and
Calcium Carbonate
 CO2 + C → 2CO(g)

Mixture of Iron
ore, Coke and
Calcium Carbonate Carbonmonooxide
 Fe2O3(S)+ 3CO(g) → 2Fe + 3CO2(g)

Mixture of Iron
ore, Coke and
Calcium Carbonate CO2

CO

Fe
 CaO + SiO2 → CaSiO3

Mixture of Iron
ore, Coke and
Calcium Carbonate CaO

SiO2

CaSiO3
The slag (CaSiO3) is lighter than molten iron forms the
upper layer on the iron, this also protects the iron from
being rusting.

The molten iron and slag are drawn off through separate
openings at the bottom of the furnace.
 Practice Questions
Q. 1
• Where metals can be found ?
• Give the difference between mineral and
ore ?
• What is gangue ?
• Name a metal in which froth flotation
process method is used ?
• For which types of ores electromagnetic
separation method can be used ?
 Fill in the blanks.
Q. 2
• _______ is the major source of metals.
• The mineral from which metal can be extracted
profitably is called ________.
• ______ is an ore of iron.
• _________ ores are concentrated by using froth
froation process.
• The charge is the mixture of _______, _________ and
___________.
• The lighter layer on the surface of molten iron is called
________.
 Answers.
Ans. 1
• Metals are found in the earth’s crust and sea
water.
• The inorganic material found in the earth’s
surface are called minerals.
The minerals from which metals can be
extracted profitably are known as ores.
5. The ores contains many impurities like sand
stones etc. are known as gangue.
6. Sulphide ores of metals are concentrated by the
froth flotation process.
7. Electromagnetic separation method is used for
the ores of iron.
 Answers
Ans. 2
2. Earth’s crust
3. Ores
4. Haematite
5. Sulphide ores
6. Iron ore, coke and calcium carbonate
7. Slag.
 References
• PSEB Science Text book of 10th class.
• CBSE Science Text book of 10th class.
• Teacher’s own notes.
• Pictures from MS Encarta.
Prepared By
Teachers:
Ramesh Kumar
(Lecturer Physics)
Naresh Kumar
(Science Teacher)
Students:
Jagmohan Lal
Pankaj Garg
Vijay Singh
Students of Class IX-A
Prepared Under supervision of:

Satish Kamal
(Teacher trainer)

SLNRS Govt. Sr. Sec. School

Teur (SAS Nagar)
Punjab