What Is a Basic Oxygen Furnace?

Basic Oxygen Furnace

A basic oxygen furnace (BOF) is a large industrial vessel used in the steelmaking process to convert molten iron into steel. The process involves blowing oxygen through molten pig iron (which is typically obtained from a blast furnace) to reduce the carbon content and impurities, such as sulfur and phosphorus. This high-purity oxygen causes a chemical reaction that rapidly oxidizes the carbon in the iron, creating carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide gases. The heat generated by this oxidation helps maintain the molten state of the iron.

The BOF is called “basic” because it operates with a basic, or alkaline, lining inside the furnace, which helps remove acidic impurities. The result is high-quality steel with controlled levels of carbon and other elements, ready for further processing into various steel products. This method is widely used in modern steel production due to its efficiency and ability to produce large volumes of steel quickly.