Blast Furnace

Blast Furnace Iron ore is smelted in the Blast Furnace. The CHARGE, iron ore, coke and limestone are fed in from the top. Hot air is blown in through nozzles called TUYERES at the bottom of the furnace. As the coke burns it produces heat and carbon monoxide gas. The carbon monoxide joins with oxygen in the ore, leaving iron.

Blast Furnace The molten iron falls to the bottom of the furnace. The limestone joins with impurities to form a slag, this also goes to the bottom of the furnace but it floats on the iron. The slag is tapped off from time to time as it builds up. The molten iron is tapped off and cast into slabs.

Blast Furnace These slabs resembled pigs and this iron was called PIG IRON. This iron is used for making steel.

Blast Furnace Animation

Electric Arc Furnace

Electric Arc Furnace The Electric Arc Furnace is used for making steel from iron and scrap steel. The heat is generated by electric arcs between the charge(iron and scrap steel) and carbon electrodes. The steel is taken out by rotating the furnace on its rollers.

Basic Oxygen Furnace

Basic Oxygen Process This is a popular method of making bulk steel. A water cooled lance is used to blow oxygen into the furnace. Most of the charge is molten iron but there is also large amounts of scrap metal. The refining is done very quickly so it is more economical process than others. The furnace is rotated to different positions during the its operation.

Basic Oxygen Process When the temperature and composition is correct the lance is taken out and the furnace is tilted and the molten steel is poured out into a ladle. The furnace is then tilted in the opposite direction and the slag is poured out.