The Basic Oxygen Steelmaking Process is the UK's major method for making steel. Modern furnaces will take a charge of up to 350 tonnes and convert it into steel in less than 40 minutes. The diagram shows oxygen being blown into the furnace or BOS vessel through a water cooled oxygen lance. This oxidises carbon and the other unwanted elements in the hot metal.
Carbon is oxidised to carbon monoxide gas, which passes from the converter to a cleaning plant.
After cleaning, it can be re-used as a fuel gas. The rest of the elements in the metal are converted to acidic oxides. They combine with the lime and other fluxes that are added during the blow. This produces a slag that floats on the surface of the metal. The steel is tapped from the furnace when it is at the correct temperature and composition.