Industrial Chemistry: The Extraction of Iron

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

Industrial Chemistry: The Extraction of Iron

Humans have been utilizing Iron for centuries for its versatility in manufacturing and construction. It exhibits one of the strongest magnetic properties of all the elemental metals and is extremely ductile, making it an ideal material for a variety of applications.

While Iron both naturally occurs as a ore and is found in many artificial forms, extracting Iron on a large scale requires immense resources and procedures, making Industrial Chemistry an important part of the collaborative process. In this article, we will explore the industrial extraction process of Iron, its various components, and discuss the rewards and challenges of pursuing this type of extraction.

Industrial Chemistry of Iron Extraction

The industrial extraction of Iron is a process that involves various chemistries and industrial processes that rely heavily on Chemistry to be effective. This process is known as Iron metallurgy. To extract Iron, two processes must be used: reduction and smelting.

First, Iron ore must be mined from the ground. This ore typically contains a variety of components, including Iron oxides, carbonates, and silicates. These impurities must then be removed through a rigorous process of removing sulfur, phosphorus, and other non-iron elements.

Reduction

Reduction is the use of a chemical to reduce or remove the impurities from the Iron ore. This is done by using a reducing agent such as charcoal, which removes oxygen from the ore. This process is known as reduction roasting. Reduction is an important step in the process of producing Iron as it separates the Iron from the impurities and prepares it for further processing.

Smelting

Once the Iron ore has been prepared by removal of impurities, it can then be melted and rendered into a usable form. This process is known as Smelting, and it involves heating the ore until it is 1,550 degrees Celsius (2,822 degrees Fahrenheit) or higher. This heating helps break down the ore and separates the Iron from the other elements.

The new Iron may be in the form of metal, and can be cast into various shapes for its use in construction. Depending on the requirements of the Iron, it is further refined through additional procedures such as phosphorus removal or argon injection.