Chapter 21, Problem 21.57SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Determine if Al₂O₃ placed into a blast furnace will react to provide pure aluminum.

Concept introduction:

• Extracting a metal from ore requires three main steps: (1) concentration of the ore, and if necessary, chemical treatment prior to reduction; (2) reduction of the mineral to the free metal; (3) refining or purification of the metal.
• Roasting is the process of heating the sulfide minerals in air (O₂) to form metal-oxides
• Metal-oxides will undergo reduction with carbon, hydrogen, or a more active metal.
• The most active metals must be reduced by the process of electrolysis.
• A blast furnace is used in the production of commercial iron which extracts iron from iron ore.

To classify: Ifaluminum can be produced in a blast furnace from Al₂O₃.