In the blast furnace reduction, which gas reduces iron oxide?

In the blast furnace reduction, which gas reduces iron oxide?

• A. CO
• B. O2
• C. CO2
• D. H2

Answer: (A)

Carbon monoxide acts as the reducing gas in a blast furnace. It is formed from coke at high temperatures and then donates electrons to iron oxide, removing oxygen and turning the oxide into metallic iron. The key reaction is Fe2O3 + 3 CO → 2 Fe + 3 CO2, where CO is oxidized to CO2 while iron oxide is reduced to iron. While hydrogen can also reduce iron oxide under certain conditions, CO is the dominant reducer in the typical blast-furnace environment because of how coke gasifies and the high-temperature, reducing atmosphere inside the furnace. Oxygen itself is an oxidizer, not a reducer, and CO2 is a product rather than a reducing agent.

Carbon monoxide acts as the reducing gas in a blast furnace. It is formed from coke at high temperatures and then donates electrons to iron oxide, removing oxygen and turning the oxide into metallic iron. The key reaction is Fe2O3 + 3 CO → 2 Fe + 3 CO2, where CO is oxidized to CO2 while iron oxide is reduced to iron. While hydrogen can also reduce iron oxide under certain conditions, CO is the dominant reducer in the typical blast-furnace environment because of how coke gasifies and the high-temperature, reducing atmosphere inside the furnace. Oxygen itself is an oxidizer, not a reducer, and CO2 is a product rather than a reducing agent.