Bessemer Converter, Kelham Island Museum

Image: © David Dixon Taken: 5 Apr 2012

The Bessemer Converter at Kelham Island Museum (http://www.simt.co.uk/kelham-island-museum/what-to-see/outdoor-collection/bessemer-converter ) is one of only three converters left in the world. Built in the early twentieth century, it was the last working converter in Britain and was in use until 1974. It was brought to the Museum in 1978 as an example of the revolutionary Bessemer steelmaking process, patented by Henry Bessemer in 1856. His invention marked the beginning of mass steel production, as huge amounts could be made in a relatively short time compared previous methods of steel production. The huge body was tilted downwards to be filled with molten pig iron. After being swung upright again, a blast of air was blown through from the bottom of the converter. This oxidation removed carbon from the iron, converting it to steel. As well as the body of the converter, this photograph shows the gear wheel used to tilt it (top left) and the air pipe used to blow air into the base of the converter. There is a Wikipedia article about the Bessemer Converter at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bessemer_converter#Bessemer_converter

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