Blast furnace
A blast furnace is a big oven used to make iron from iron ore, often found in rocks underground.
The furnace is really big and has a chimney on top, which is very important. Inside the furnace, workers put in layers of iron ore, charcoal or coke (which are fuels made from burning coal), and limestone. They use large machines called cranes to pour these materials into the furnace.
Once everything is inside, the burning process begins. Workers light the furnace and it gets really hot, like 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit hot! The fuel and the air create a chemical reaction to melt the iron ore, which becomes a gooey liquid that falls to the bottom of the furnace.
The limestone helps to collect all the impurities and debris that rise to the top of the liquid – sort of like the way we use a net to catch a ball in a game. Once the impurities and debris are collected together, they are called slag. Workers take the slag out of the furnace and let it cool down before disposing of it.
Eventually, the iron liquid is ready to be collected. Workers open a little hole in the bottom of the furnace and allow the iron liquid to pour out into special containers. This process is called tapping the furnace.
Finally, the iron liquid is cooled down and turned into solid, heavy bars of iron, which can be used to make many things like cars, bridges, and even buildings!
The furnace is really big and has a chimney on top, which is very important. Inside the furnace, workers put in layers of iron ore, charcoal or coke (which are fuels made from burning coal), and limestone. They use large machines called cranes to pour these materials into the furnace.
Once everything is inside, the burning process begins. Workers light the furnace and it gets really hot, like 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit hot! The fuel and the air create a chemical reaction to melt the iron ore, which becomes a gooey liquid that falls to the bottom of the furnace.
The limestone helps to collect all the impurities and debris that rise to the top of the liquid – sort of like the way we use a net to catch a ball in a game. Once the impurities and debris are collected together, they are called slag. Workers take the slag out of the furnace and let it cool down before disposing of it.
Eventually, the iron liquid is ready to be collected. Workers open a little hole in the bottom of the furnace and allow the iron liquid to pour out into special containers. This process is called tapping the furnace.
Finally, the iron liquid is cooled down and turned into solid, heavy bars of iron, which can be used to make many things like cars, bridges, and even buildings!
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