Blast Furnace

A blast furnace is used by integrated steel mills to refine iron ore into molten iron, which is the main raw material for the steelmaking process. Its name comes from the “blast” of hot air and gases forced up through the iron ore, coke, and limestone that are charged the furnace. They are typically very large reaching heights up to 200 feet and achieving temperatures of over 3,000°F (1,650°C).