A better understanding of the reaction mechanisms and phenomena involved in the reduction of iron ore and the smelting of liquid pig iron, combined with precise measurements and operating and charging instructions, have led to a mastery of the iron ore reduction-melting process in modern blast furnaces, ensuring high operating stability for these reactors.
From the steelmaker's point of view, the main impurities contained in pig iron are carbon, silicon, manganese, phosphorus, sulfur and, in certain special cases (Chinese pig iron, for example), titanium, chromium, niobium and vanadium. Before considering the possibilities of pre-treating liquid cast iron, it is important to ask the high baker about his control of these impurities. The temperature of the liquid cast iron is also an important characteristic for the steelmaker, as it determines the possibilities of subsequent treatments and the addition of scrap or ores to the converter.