Blast furnace burden — role of iron ore in the charge Indicate whether the following statement is correct: In the blast furnace charge, the iron ore serves as the iron-bearing mineral that supplies metallic iron to the process.

Introduction / Context:
In ironmaking, the blast furnace is charged with iron-bearing materials, fuel, and fluxes. Understanding the role of each burden component is foundational metallurgical knowledge that underpins material balance, heat balance, and quality control of hot metal.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Typical burden consists of iron ore (or agglomerates), coke, and fluxes (limestone/dolomite).
• Standard hot blast operation with reducing atmosphere generated by coke and injected fuels.

Concept / Approach:
Iron ore (e.g., hematite Fe2O3, magnetite Fe3O4) is the primary iron-bearing component. During descent through the furnace, the ore undergoes reduction by carbon monoxide and solid carbon, producing metallic iron and leaving gangue that combines with fluxes to form slag. The fluxes neutralize acidic/basic impurities, while coke provides both energy and a permeable, strong skeleton for gas flow.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Tapping analysis of hot metal correlates with ore grade and burden ratio; changing ore chemistry directly alters iron yield, validating that ore is the iron source.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• False / flux-only: fluxes are carbonate minerals (e.g., CaCO3) added to form slag; they are not iron sources.
• True only for basic lining or only for sinter: the role of ore as the iron supplier is general, regardless of lining or whether ore is lump, sinter, or pellets.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming coke contributes significant metallic iron (it does not); confusing sinter or pellets as distinct from ore rather than processed forms of iron-bearing materials.

Final Answer: