Molten Iron from a Sloss Furnace

Molten iron is seen flowing from a furnace at the Sloss Furnaces complex in Birmingham. During the smelting process, iron ore, limestone, and coke (processed coal) are blasted with superheated air causing a series of chemical reactions to form molten slag (waste) and molten iron, which separates as it sinks to the bottom of the furnace.
Courtesy of Birmingham Public Library Archives