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a) (i) Name two modern furnaces used for the production of steel - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question a - 2008
Question a
a) (i) Name two modern furnaces used for the production of steel. (ii) Make a sketch of any one of the furnaces identified at 2(a)(i) and explain its operation.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:a) (i) Name two modern furnaces used for the production of steel - Leaving Cert Engineering - Question a - 2008
Step 1
Step 2
Make a sketch of any one of the furnaces identified at 2(a)(i) and explain its operation.
Answer
Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Sketch
Operation Explanation
The Basic Oxygen Furnace is primarily used for the production of mild steel from scrap iron and molten pig iron. The process begins with charging the furnace with scrap iron along with about 30% molten pig iron. A lance that blows oxygen is inserted into the charge.
As oxygen is blown into the molten charge, impurities within the scrap iron are oxidized. This reaction produces heat, which further melts the charge. The reactions help remove phosphorus, silicon, and other undesirable elements.
After the refining process, the steel floats on top of the molten material and forms a slag. At the end of the process, the steel is poured off through a tapping hole. The slag is removed subsequently, cleaning the furnace.