Smelting Science
This collection of modules is mostly based on John E. Rehder's remarkable book: "The Mastery and Uses of Fire in Antiquity". It was a real eye-opener for me.
What will be covered is.
1. Furnace and Fire
How hot can it get? Containing heat flow and making the best out of bio fuel.
2. Charcoal Technology
Are all charcoals created equal? What makes a charcoal fueled fire different from a wood fire? How about producing carbon monoxide?
3. Smelter Technology
Basics of CO production and smelter design. The role of the tuyere. Why do we have several important temperatures in efficient smelting?
4. Supplying Air to Smelters
Supplying air by blow pipes, natural draft, wind, and bellows. Why bellows make the difference.
5. Slag and Different Ways of Smelting
Limits to the size of a smelter. Is hotter always better? Why is slag so good for you? How did the "messy and inefficient" very early smelting work? Smelting in crucibles.
6. Getting Serious about Smelting Iron
Boudouard equilibrium and Baur-Graessler diagram. Why theory shows that smelters can only produce carbon-lean wrought iron, and why real smelters produce everything including high carbon steel and cast iron.
   

With frame With frame as PDF

go to Books and Other Major Sources

go to 10.1.3 Smelting, Melting, Casting and Alloying Copper - The First

go to Early Metal Technology - 2. Silver and Lead

go to The Ages

go to Smelting Science - 1. Furnaces

go to Early Pyrotechnolgy - Pottery

go to Smelting Science - 5. Smelting Details 2

go to Early Pyrotechnolgy

go to 10.1.3 Smelting, Melting, Casting and Alloying Copper - The Second

go to Smelting Science - 2. Charcoal Technology

go to Smelting Science - 5. Smelting Details 2

go to 11.6.2 Making a Japanese Sword - Part 1

go to Early Metal Technology - 1. Gold

go to Smelting Science - 3. Smelter Technology

go to 3. Silver

go to Smelting Science - 4. Smelting Details 1

© H. Föll (Iron, Steel and Swords script)