The Hot-Blast Cupola

Abstract

Abstract The object of this paper is to announce a new era in cupola practice. Since prehistoric times there have been but few outstanding advances in the art of melting iron in shaft furnaces. The demand for cannon in the Middle Ages brought about a high degree of development in the foundrymen’s art, and the invention of the steam engine made possible the modern factory system. Aside from these two outstanding events but little has been done to improve the metallurgical or economic performance of the cupola. There is therefore an inviting field for research to develop the following: Control of melting conditions Control of the chemical elements of the iron Control of the temperature of the molten iron Relation of slag to melting conditions, oxidation, temperature of the iron, and economy in fuel Mastery of the far-reaching effect of heat treatment Knowledge of the effect produced by various alloys Ability to produce steel, malleable iron, or cast iron at pleasure A decided improvement in physical properties of all grades of iron that can be melted in the cupola A radical improvement in fuel economy. When these improvements are established, and there is no reason why they should not be, there will be introduced a decidedly new era in the cast-iron industry that will entirely overshadow all previous developments.