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Describe, with the help of chemical equations, the reactions in the blast furnace which lead to the production of molten iron.

Coke reacts with oxygen in the air to form carbon dioxide.

C (s) + O2 (g) –> CO2 (g)

Coke then reacts with carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide.

C (s) + CO2 (g) –> 2CO (g)

Carbon monoxide reduces haematite to form molten iron and carbon dioxide.

Fe2O3 (s) + 3CO (g) –> 2Fe (l) + 3CO2 (g)