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Blast furnace: an industrial furnace used to produce pig iron from iron ore

The blast furnace is one of the earliest known industrial processes. It has been in use for centuries, and was used for the production of iron before the invention of the Bessemer process in the mid 19th century. The furnace is made up of several components: a furnace stack at the top, the hearth, and the bellows used to stoke the fire.

Iron ore that is used in the blast furnace is typically mixed with limestone and other substances to create flux. This flux helps to reduce the impurities in the ore, making it more suitable for smelting. The ore is put into the top of the furnace, known as the “bosh”. The furnace is heated by burning coke, a fuel made from coal, which causes the temperature to rise rapidly.

The high temperatures cause the furnace to act as a type of distillation column, with the impurities rising through the hot air into the exhaust port at the top. This leaves a hot liquid at the bottom of the furnace, known as “pig iron”. The pig iron must still be melted in a separate furnace and purified to produce high grade steel.

The bellows are also located at the front of the furnace, and provide the air blast necessary to stoke the fire. The blast of air causes oxygen to enter the furnace and combine with the coke and ore, resulting in increased temperatures and releasing carbon dioxide, a byproduct of the reaction. The bellows are made of leather or metal and are operated by a series of mechanical levers.

In modern operation, the blast furnace is typically powered by electricity, which controls the flow of air and heat into the furnace. This increases efficiency and safety, as well as reduces emissions. The furnace is also equipped with automated temperature sensors, which ensure the safety of the workers and the quality of the product.

The blast furnace is a truly ancient process, with a long and varied history. As technology evolves and new discoveries are made, the blast furnace will continue to play an important role in the production of iron and steel.

Rotary Kiln

The rotary kiln is a type of industrial oven which is widely used for processing raw materials in a variety of industries such as cement, fertilizer, chemical, metallurgical, and oil production. Unlike traditional stationary kilns, a rotary kiln can rotate on its axis as it moves its contents along its inclined exterior. The rotary kiln is commonly used in several industrial processes.

In cement manufacturing, the raw material is heated up to nearly 1500 degrees Celsius. The rotary kiln plays a key role in this process, slowly rotating the material to be heated and continuing to move the material down its exterior as it slowly cooks. The heat generated helps the components of the raw material melt and combine together, resulting in manufactured cement.

In the fertilizer industry, the rotary kiln is essential in the production of nitric acid, sulfuric acid, ammonium sulphate and other products. The raw material is heated to high temperatures in the kiln, allowing the components of the raw material to react with each other and create the desired product.

The metallurgical and oil production industries also use the rotary kiln to generate intense heat. This heat is used to generate high temperatures for the smelting of metals and for removing impurities from crude oil.

In general, the rotary kiln is a reliable and efficient tool for a variety of industrial applications. Its ability to rotate as it moves raw material provides uniform heating and cooking of the contents and can maximize the efficiency of the heating process. For these reasons, the rotary kiln is an indispensable asset for many industries.