Final Answer:
Iron ore, coke, and limestone are the basic input materials used in a blast furnace to extract iron.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the extraction process, iron ore, typically hematite or magnetite, is smelted in a blast furnace at extremely high temperatures. Coke, a form of carbon derived from coal, serves as the primary fuel, providing the heat necessary for the chemical reaction. As the coke burns, it reacts with oxygen in the hot air to produce carbon monoxide, which then reacts with the iron ore, reducing the iron oxide to molten iron.
Simultaneously, limestone acts as a flux, combining with impurities in the ore to form s.l.a.g, which can be easily separated from the molten iron. This helps purify the iron by removing impurities like silica, phosphorus, and sulfur. The intense heat within the blast furnace, often exceeding 2,000 degrees Celsius, allows for the separation of iron from the ore, resulting in molten iron and s.l.a.g. The molten iron is tapped off and cast into molds to form ingots or further processed into various iron and steel products.
In summary, iron ore, along with coke and limestone, constitutes the fundamental raw materials employed within a blast furnace for the extraction of iron.