In a blast furnace, iron is extracted from its ore (typically haematite, Fe\(_2\)O\(_3\)) through a reduction process.
The main reducing agent responsible for this is carbon monoxide (CO), which is produced inside the furnace by the incomplete combustion of coke (carbon):
\[
\text{C} + \text{CO}_2 ⇒ 2\text{CO}
\]
\[
\text{Fe}_2\text{O}_3 + 3\text{CO} ⇒ 2\text{Fe} + 3\text{CO}_2
\]
This reaction reduces iron(III) oxide to metallic iron.
Limestone acts as a flux, hydrogen is rarely used in this context, and coke ash is an impurity, not a reagent.