ABSTRACT
Pyrometallurgical operations are conducted at high temperatures. In order to achieve this purpose, it is essential to have a good knowledge of: the methods of generating the heat required and the design of the reactors used for holding the reactants and the products at high temperature, that is, the furnaces. It also includes: the refractories needed to withstand the high temperature since these are an integral part of the furnaces, the methods of heat economy and the theory of heat transfer. Heat is generated industrially in two ways: combustion of carbonaceous fuel or by electrical energy. Heat is generated during the combustion of carbonaceous fuels by air or oxygen. Under the most favourable conditions, a maximum temperature of approximately 1500°C can be achieved. In a metallurgical furnace burning carbonaceous fuel, heat is transferred to the charge by conduction, convention, and radiation. A furnace is an apparatus used to conduct a reaction at high temperature.
