Abstract
The steelmaking operations using a small "Tatara" furnace have been performed to investigate the effects of furnace size on the characteristics of "Kera" (steel bloom). The height and the cross-sectional area of the furnace are varied. The weight of Kera increases with increasing the furnace height due to the increased average temperature at upper tuyere, and the carbon concentration of Kera shows a linear relationship with the temperature. It is important for Tatara steelmaking operation to arrange the furnace size with which iron sand is reduced and carburized at temperatures around 1350°C without being blown out. From this viewpoint, the appropriate furnace size is discussed.
