Blast Furnace Practice

Abstract

WITH the publication of these two massive volumes, Mr. Clements has completed the task which he set himself, of presenting a complete account of modern blast furnace practice based on a comparison between the principal plants in Great Britain and abroad. The amount of labour involved has been very great, and all metallurgists must be grateful for the mass of data thus made available, and for the pains taken by the author to present them in the form of tables and diagrams. The folding tables contained in pockets at the end of each volume in themselves represent an enormous labour, and provide a comprehensive survey of existing practice. Such surveys are naturally soon out of date, as furnaces are continually being rebuilt, and some alteration of practice is sure to occur. On the whole, however, blast furnace practice remains, except for minor details, comparatively unchanged over long periods, although practice in different countries varies widely. Moreover, in spite of the frequent announcements of the success of various direct methods which are to supersede the blast furnace, there is no immediate indication of iron or steel being made from the ore in any substantial quantity without passing through this apparently crude but nevertheless efficient apparatus. This work, therefore, the most complete yet attempted on the subject, is likely to be useful for years to come.

Blast Furnace Practice.

By Fred Clements. Vol. 2: Design of Plant and Equipment. Pp.509. Vol. 3: Operation and Products. Pp. 400. (London: Ernest Benn, Ltd., 1929.) 63s. net each vol.