Thermodynamics applied to steelmaking

Using the state functions it defines and its fundamental principles, thermodynamics can answer three types of questions:

• Given a system in a well-defined initial state and subject to precise constraints, which is allowed to evolve freely, what will its final state be when equilibrium is reached?

• Given a system in a well-defined initial state, which we want to evolve towards an equally well-defined final state, what is the best path to follow to carry out the transformation?

• is a given transformation (imposed initial and final states) possible or impossible under well-defined constraints (e.g. composition, pressure and temperature)?

These three questions show that the initial state (e.g. magnetite), the final state (e.g. iron metal) and the...