Ironmaking Process - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Originally, charcoal produced from wood was the fuel used to melt the iron ore. A tremendous amount of wood was needed for this industry. For example, one type of furnace, the Stuckofen, used in fourteenth century Germany could produce 4000 pounds of iron per day with a fuel rate of 250 pounds of charcoal per 100 pounds of iron produced ...