This illustration dates to the 1870s and shows a blast furnace in Great Britain, where the enormous quantity of iron produced from clay ironstone was first obtained in the state of cast iron by the process of smelting. In this process the clay ironstone is roasted after having been broken up into lumps. When ready, the ore is then put in a blast furnace (seen here), a structure about 40 to 50 feet high and 12 to 17 fet in internal diameter at its widest part. At E is the crucible, the bottom of which is called the hearth, and is usually formed of infusible sandstone. A is the tympstone and abo
This illustration dates to the 1870s and shows a blast furnace in Great Britain, where the enormous quantity of iron produced from clay ironstone was first obtained in the state of cast iron by the process of smelting. In this process the clay ironstone is roasted after having been broken up into lumps. When ready, the ore is then put in a blast furnace (seen here), a structure about 40 to 50 feet high and 12 to 17 fet in internal diameter at its widest part. At E is the crucible, the bottom of which is called the hearth, and is usually formed of infusible sandstone. A is the tympstone and above it an opening through which the slag overflows. O is an opening for the pipes, which are connected with blowing machines supplying a constant blast of air. At the lowest point of the furnace is a tap-hole, which is completely closed by sand and clay, except when opened to allow the melted metal to be drawn off. Around the chimney is a gallery and at C is an opening through which the charges are introduced. Access is obtained to this gallery, a portion of which is seen at the left-hand side here.
Size: 2603px × 2940px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: 1800s, 1870s, 19th, blast, britain, cast, century, diagram, english, furnace, industrial, interior, iron, revolution, smelting
