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(i) Name a suitable furnace that could be used to produce each of the following metals: Pig iron, Cast iron, High carbon steel - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question b - 2012
Question b
(i) Name a suitable furnace that could be used to produce each of the following metals: Pig iron, Cast iron, High carbon steel. (ii) With the aid of a suitable dia... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:(i) Name a suitable furnace that could be used to produce each of the following metals: Pig iron, Cast iron, High carbon steel - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question b - 2012
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With the aid of a suitable diagram, describe one of the furnaces identified at 2(b)(i) above
Answer
Description of the Blast Furnace
The blast furnace is a large structure used for smelting iron ore. Its design is characterized by a tall, cylindrical shape.
- Raw Materials: Iron ore, coke (a form of carbon), and limestone are the primary raw materials introduced at the top.
- Combustion: As the coke burns, it produces carbon monoxide, which reacts with oxygen in the iron ore to extract iron.
- Chemical Reactions: The limestone acts as a flux, combining with impurities to form slag.
- Iron Production: The molten iron collects at the bottom of the furnace, periodically tapped off for use, while the slag, being less dense, floats on top and is removed.
(Note: Add an appropriate diagram here.)