Home » Mechanical Engineering » Engineering Materials

Metallurgical processing: choose the correct definition of smelting in iron extraction Differentiate smelting from ore dressing (washing) and calcination/roasting by selecting the correct description used in ironmaking. Choose the correct option.

Difficulty: Easy

Removing impurities like clay and sand from iron ore by washing with water (ore dressing)
Expelling moisture, CO₂, sulphur, and arsenic from ore by heating in shallow kilns (calcination/roasting)
Reducing the ore with carbon in the presence of a flux (smelting)
All of the above

Correct Answer: Reducing the ore with carbon in the presence of a flux (smelting)

Explanation:

Given

Select the statement that defines smelting.

Concept
Smelting = chemical reduction of metal oxides by carbon (or CO) at high temperature in the presence of a flux to form metal and slag.Ore washing (a) = physical beneficiation.Calcination/roasting (b) = thermal decomposition/oxidation to remove volatiles/impurities.

Reasoning
Only option (c) describes the reduction step of ironmaking. Therefore, (d) is incorrect because (a) and (b) are distinct, earlier steps.

Final Answer
Reducing the ore with carbon in the presence of a flux (smelting)

← Previous Question Next Question→

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

Join Discussion

Metallurgical processing: choose the correct definition of smelting in iron extraction Differentiate smelting from ore dressing (washing) and calcination/roasting by selecting the correct description used in ironmaking. Choose the correct option.

More Questions from Engineering Materials

Discussion & Comments