Reducing Iron Oxide with Methane

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of reducing iron oxide to metallic iron using methane instead of hydrogen. It explores the chemical processes involved, potential products, and historical context related to this reduction method.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the meaning of substituting methane for hydrogen in the reduction process, seeking clarification on which hydrogen is being referenced.
  • One participant suggests that if methane is cracked into hydrogen, it may be possible to reduce iron oxide, but if not controlled, iron carbide could form instead.
  • Another participant provides a chemical equation for the reduction of iron oxide with hydrogen and proposes a similar reaction with methane, noting it remains unbalanced.
  • There is mention of historical claims regarding the use of microwave treatment of iron oxide with natural gas, though skepticism is expressed about these references.
  • Participants discuss the typical products of such processes, including iron carbide and magnetite, and reference the Fischer-Tropsch process as a related method for converting hydrocarbons.
  • Clarification is made that iron carbide is not equivalent to steel.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using methane for reduction, with some suggesting it could work under certain conditions while others remain skeptical. There is no consensus on the effectiveness or practicality of the proposed method.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the dependency on the method of methane application, including the potential for methane to be cracked into hydrogen, and the implications of forming iron carbide instead of metallic iron. The discussion also references historical methods and economic considerations without resolving the technical uncertainties.

JGM_14
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Can iron oxide be reduced to metallic iron with methane in place of hydrogen?
 
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JGM_14 said:
Can iron oxide be reduced to metallic iron with methane in place of hydrogen?

What exactly does this question mean? In place of which hydrogen?

Are you trying to pull electrons from the methane and give them to the iron? I think doing that would create something like 2 methanols, or a methane diol, or formaldehyde and 2 hydrogen cations. None of these reactions sound reasonable, so I'll guess the answer is no.
 
It depends on how you do it. If your process cracks the methane into hydrogen, it is possible. If the process is not controlled to do that, I believe that iron carbide will be formed.
 
ShawnD said:
In place of which hydrogen?

Elemental hydrogen.
Fe2O3+3H2+heat=2Fe+3H2O
Can this be done- Fe2O3+CH4=Fe+H2O+CO2 (unbalanced)

chemisttree said:
It depends on how you do it. If your process cracks the methane into hydrogen, it is possible. If the process is not controlled to do that, I believe that iron carbide will be formed.
iron carbide= Steel, correct?
 
Last edited:
These guys claim to be able to do it using microwave treatment of iron oxide and natural gas. Its by Russians during the height of the cold war and I always treated those references with some skepticism..

http://www.springerlink.com/content/v114012j12u68705/

The usual product is iron carbide and magnetite. This is a typical application of a Fischer-Tropsch process. It allows one to convert gaseous hydrocarbons into liquid hydrocarbons. The Germans did this during the war to produce 'synthetic' fuels and lube oils. It is currently being used for the same purpose. It is a fairly expensive process but as the price of crude oil increases, it becomes ever more feasible from an economic standpoint.

iron carbide is not steel.
 

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