= Basic oxygen furnace
A <basic oxygen furnace> is a refractory-lined converter used for <basic oxygen steelmaking>. It holds molten <pig iron>, recycled <steel> and fluxes while an <oxygen> supply drives refining reactions. The vessel must contain the bath and <slag>, accommodate vigorous mixing and allow the finished <steel> and reaction products to be removed.<Steel Production by the American Iron and Steel Institute>[Blast-furnace/basic-oxygen-furnace route]{ref}
Its thermal balance couples composition and charge selection: oxidation releases <heat>, while heating and melting additions consume it. This makes the furnace a useful example of simultaneous <mass balance> and <energy balance>. The furnace is the physical reactor; the steelmaking process includes its operation, measurements and composition adjustments.
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