EconoNorse Test Bed IRON SMELTER
The first three are scaled line drawings for the fire brick 'EconoNorse' test bed smelter, orignial prototype by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company. The last is an image of the smelter as it was set up at 'Smeltfest 05' at Lee Sauder's shop in Virginia. The core is made of 21 standard fire place type fire bricks available at your building supply - should run something like a dollar or two each The bricks will last through several fireings. Air supply is via an old vacumn cleaner set on a dimmer switch to modify flow. The tuyere can be a length of 1 1/4 " OD black pipe. For an estimated yield of a 15 plus pound iron bloom, the process requires the following raw materials:
about 150 - 175 lbs hardwood charcoal, broken to 1" pieces and the fines screened out
about 50 lbs iron ore, roasted and broken to pea sized or smaller
about 5 - 6 hours operation time
For a detailed series on the EconoNorse in action, go HERE.
Text © 2005, Darrell Markewitz
