masugnstillverkning

Masugnstillverkning, often translated as blast furnace production, is a process used to produce pig iron from iron ore. The primary component of a blast furnace is a tall, chimney-like structure made of refractory bricks. Iron ore, coke (a form of coal), and flux (usually limestone) are loaded into the top of the furnace in alternating layers.

Hot air is then blown into the bottom of the furnace through tuyeres, creating a high-temperature environment. The coke burns, producing carbon monoxide, which acts as the primary reducing agent. This carbon monoxide reacts with the iron oxides in the ore, stripping away oxygen and leaving molten iron. The limestone acts as a flux, combining with impurities in the ore to form slag.

The molten iron, being denser than the slag, collects at the bottom of the furnace. Periodically, the molten iron and slag are tapped off from separate openings. The pig iron produced is a crude form of iron with a high carbon content, making it brittle. It is typically further refined in processes like steelmaking to create more usable forms of iron. The blast furnace process is energy-intensive and a significant source of industrial emissions.