Blast furnaces are large towers or cylinders that have a heat-resistant
lining. These furnaces force gusts of hot air and gases up through the
furnace load. As air is pushed into the furnace from the bottom, ore,
fuel and limestone are pushed in through the top. This allows the
chemical reaction to occur as the ore, fuel and limestone move down the
cylinder. The result is molten metal and slag at the bottom of the
furnace, while flue gases move upward and exit through the top of the
Blast furnaces are used for smelting industrial metals, a process used in the production of steel and iron. They can be used to extract iron from iron ore, converting it into liquid iron which is then used to make steel. The furnaces are also used for other smelting procedures and for processing lead, copper, and other types of metals, which are eventually shaped into beams, billets or slabs. A blast furnace is an enclosed structure that produces heat for industrial purposes. They are made with several kinds of heat resistant (refractory) elements in order to withstand long-term use. The enclosed space holds the materials, gas or air being heated until the desired temperature is reached. Blast furnaces can come with varying temperature control options or be set for a single temperature, depending on the process for which the furnace will be used. The shape and design of the structure allows easy control of the temperature within the cylinders.
The materials used are brought to the top of the cylinder using a conveyor belt. Temperatures within the cylinders can range from 1600ºF to 2300ºF. When needed, oil, tar, natural gas, coal and oxygen can be added to increase productivity. Blast furnaces are used for various heat treatments of materials. Heat treating
adds significant value to metal products, especially those made of steel and nonferrous materials, by imparting specific properties to the parts. These properties are often critical to the proper function of the parts. Advantages to blast furnaces are that they are relatively inexpensive when it comes to operating and maintaining the equipment.