Iron production
Iron production converts iron ore into pig iron through a process known as smelting at a furnace. Early in the history of iron production in the US, most furnaces used charcoal as fuel, so charcoal production and iron production were often closely linked.
History
Fuel
Prior to the 1830s, every furnace in the US burned charcoal as fuel. Around the 1860s, coal and coke began to replace charcoal in some areas, but overall iron production increased so much that the use of charcoal still continued to rise up to 1890, and the last charcoal-powered furnace in the US was in blast until 1945. [1]
Operation
Efficiency was known to be inconsistent between furnaces in different places and at different times. Factors affecting this include differences in furnace construction and operation, as well as varying compositions of iron ore and qualities of charcoal used. [2] Ironworks had to be near water and sources of raw materials such as charcoal, limestone, and iron ore. [3]
Notes
References
- Straka, T. J. (2014). Historic Charcoal Production in the US and Forest Depletion: Development of
Production Parameters. Advances in Historical Studies, 3, 104-114. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ahs.2014.32010
McVarish, Douglas C. 2008. American Industrial Archaeology: A Field Guide. Walnut Creek, Calif.: Left Coast Press, Inc.