Developed by Sir
Henry Bessemer, a process by which molten
pig iron may be converted into
steel. To put it simply,
oxygen is forced through the molten
iron, causing many of the
impurities within (such as
silicon,
manganese, and
carbon) to be
oxidized. This process produces a number of
oxides, which are left behind as
slag. The oxidation process releases an amount of
heat, which helps to maintain the molten state of the mass during its
conversion. The standard
charge of iron converted was typically 15 or 18
tons, and the process took place in a device known as a
bessemer converter.
The bessemer process has largely been abandoned in favor of the
open-hearth process.