cokesmelted

Cokesmelted refers to a process used in metallurgy, specifically in the production of iron and steel. It involves using coke, a byproduct of coal distillation, as a primary fuel source and reducing agent in a blast furnace or smelting furnace. The high carbon content of coke allows it to burn at extremely high temperatures, essential for melting iron ore and separating the iron from its impurities.

During the cokesmelting process, iron ore, coke, and a flux material like limestone are loaded into the top of a blast furnace. Hot air is then blown in from the bottom, igniting the coke and generating intense heat. The coke serves a dual purpose: it burns to provide the necessary heat for melting, and it also reacts with the iron ore to remove oxygen atoms, a process known as reduction. The flux material combines with impurities in the ore to form slag, a molten waste product that can be easily separated from the molten iron. The resulting molten iron, often called pig iron, is then tapped from the bottom of the furnace. This method is a foundational technique in the history of metal production and continues to be employed in various forms today.