Iron Ore Smelting Process

The ore is loaded into a blast furnace along with measured quantities of coke and limestone. Hot combustion air is supplied to the furnace and some form of fuel used to raise the temperature. The iron is reduced from the ore by carbon in the coke, the limestone aiding slag separation from the molten iron. The slag and molten iron are tapped off from the bottom of the furnace, the slag being disposed of and the molten iron being poured into molds were it solidifies, now being in the form of pig iron. The pig iron is loaded into to an open hearth furnace where it is heated and returned to its molten state. The pig iron then undergoes a number of treatments and processes converting the pig iron to various grades of steel.