Question

Magnesium oxide is used for the lining in steel making furnace because

• A. MgO acts as an acidic flux to remove impurities of Si, P and S
• B. MgO acts as a basic flux to remove impurities of Si, P and S
• C. MgO acts as an oxidizing agent to remove impurities of oxides
• D. MgO does not react with any type of impurities

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

MgO acts as a basic flux to remove impurities of Si, P and S

Answer 2

MgO acts as a basic flux to remove impurities of Si, P and S through slag formation.

& Basic \\ & flux \end{aligned}}{MgO} + \underset{\begin{aligned} & Acidic \\ & {Im}purities \end{aligned}}{SiO_{2}} \rightarrow \underset{Slag}{MgSiO_{3}}$$ $$3MgO + P_{2}O_{5} \rightarrow Mg_{3}(PO_{4})_{2}$$ $$MgO + SO_{2} \rightarrow MgSO_{3}$$