Smelter

Definition

A smelter is a furnace in which raw materials are melted to separate metal.

Purpose

The purpose of a smelter is to facilitate the extraction of metals from their ores by providing the necessary high temperatures and controlled environment for melting and separating the desired metal.

Examples of Use

• Iron smelters produce molten iron from iron ore and other raw materials.
• Copper smelters refine copper ore to produce pure copper for industrial use.
• Aluminum smelters process bauxite ore to extract aluminum.

Related Terms

• Furnace: An enclosed structure for generating high temperatures to melt or fuse materials.
• Blast Furnace: A type of smelter used primarily for iron smelting.
• Refinery: A facility where raw materials are processed and purified.

Notes

Smelters are integral to the metal production industry, enabling the transformation of raw ores into usable metals through precise temperature control and chemical reactions.

‍