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Grade 12Physical Chemistry

Why limestone is used in the manufacture of pig iron from haematite.

Profile image of Deepam
8 Years agoGrade 12
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Profile image of Chhavi Jain
8 Years ago
 Dear Student
 
Lime stone (  CaCO3 ) when added to molten iron it decomposes into CO2 and CaO ( also called as quick lime). It is also used as a flux.
                                    
                                               CaCO3 ----> CaO + CO2
 
CaO combines with the impurities of the ore called gangue  to form slag like calcium silicates (CaSiO3) and calcium aluminates which floats on the top of the molten iron.
                                            flux + gangue ---> Slag
                                             CaO + SiO2 -----> CaSiO3
                                                       CaO + Al2O------> Ca(AlO2)2
 
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