“…When the flow rate is too excessive to allow for equilibration, then any available oxygen could form Fe oxides as reported by Kwon et al 12) Since the system is not in equilibrium, the surface oxide, would eventually get reduced but reduction may be kinetically slow and therefore not proceed to completion. On the other hand, if the gas flow rate for the same gas composition is lowered and any non-equilibrium oxygen is given time to react with hydrogen to establish the equilibrium oxygen partial pressure, then there will be less/ no Fe-oxides formed in the first place.…”