how limestone is used in extracting iron?
Limestone is used as a flux during the smelting of iron ore. Well, technically it's the calcium oxide which is used as the flux. When limestone is added to molten iron, it quickly decomposes into carbon dioxide and calcium oxide. Sometimes, calcium oxide (lime or quicklime) is used instead of limestone. The lime combines with impurities in the molten iron to form both light and heavy slags, which float to the top or sink to the bottom of the molten iron.
Converting iron ore to pig iron; as flux agents in primary furnace operations, and refractory sustainability. The steel industry use limestone in the production process as a flux in purifying steel in both basic oxygen furnaces and electric arc furnaces. Limestone is added to the mixture in the steel making furnace where it reacts with impurities particularly silica, phosphorus and sulphur; later forming liquid slag which is separated from the steel and removed from the furnace. To produce 1 ton of steel, 50kg of lime and 100kg of limestone are required. Lime is also used in the production of automotive parts such as rubber for tires and belts, plastic dashboards, and glass for car windows.
