Question

An important reaction that takes place in a blast furnace during the production of iron is the formation of iron metal and carbon dioxide from iron(iii) oxide and carbon monoxide. Determine the mass of iron(iii) oxide required to form 910 kg of iron. Determine the amount of carbon dioxide that forms in this proce

Answer 1

• The mass of iron formed is 5200000 g
• The mass of carbon dioxide formed is 1072500 g

What is stoichiometry?

The balanced reaction equation is;

`Fe_2O_3 + 3CO ---- > 2Fe + 3CO_2`

Moles of iron formed = 910000/56 g/mol

= 16250 moles

If 1 mole of iron III oxide produces 2 moles of iron

16250 moles of iron III oxide produces 16250 * 2/1

= 32500 moles

Mass of iron III oxide required = 32500 moles * 160 g/mol

= 5200000 g

2 moles of iron is formed when 3 moles of carbon dioxide is formed

16250 moles of iron leads to 16250 moles * 3/2

= 24375 moles

Mass of the carbon dioxide = 24375 moles * 44 g/mol

= 1072500 g