blast furnace
A 'blast furnace' is essential in metallurgy for smelting metals, primarily iron, through the intense heat generated by a continuous blast of air.
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Definition
C1Metallurgy
(technical, industrial)A large vertical furnace used to smelt iron ore into molten iron using a continuous blast of hot air.
Example
- The blast furnace at the steel mill operates continuously to produce molten iron from iron ore.
- Coke, iron ore, and limestone are fed into the top of the blast furnace.
C1Metallurgy
(technical, industrial)A furnace that produces liquid metals by introducing a pressured flow of air at the bottom to react with a mix of ore, coke, and flux.
Example
- The blast furnace's intense heat is generated by the blast of air forced through the mixture.
- Lead and copper can also be smelted in a blast furnace.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "blast furnace":