#Blast Furnaces

[thunderstruck9]

Olga Yanovskaya (Russian, 1900-1998), Blast Furnaces, 1931. Oil on canvasboard, 38 3/4 x 25 in.

[citylivve]

Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord. 2024.

Pictures taken with a Panasonic DC-TZ95D compact camera.

[hvacinspection]

Used Furnaces: What to Know Before You Buy

Buying a used furnace can be an appealing option to save money, but it requires careful consideration. Before purchasing a second-hand unit, it’s important to assess its condition, age, and efficiency to ensure it’s a worthwhile investment for your home.

Age of the Furnace

The age of the furnace plays a significant role in its performance and longevity. Furnaces typically last between 15 and 20 years, depending on maintenance and usage. Purchasing a unit older than 10 years may lead to higher repair costs and reduced efficiency. Always check the manufacturing date to understand the remaining lifespan of the unit. Keep in mind that newer models are likely to have updated features and higher energy efficiency.

Condition and Maintenance History

A used furnace’s condition can vary widely based on how well it was maintained. Ask the seller for records of repairs and maintenance, including cleaning and inspections. A well-maintained furnace can perform efficiently for years, but if maintenance has been neglected, you may face frequent breakdowns. Inspect the furnace yourself or hire a technician to assess its components, including the blower motor, heat exchanger, and gas valve.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a crucial factor when buying a furnace. Older models may have a lower AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, meaning they consume more energy to generate heat. Opting for a furnace with a higher AFUE rating will reduce energy costs over time, even if the upfront price is higher. Ask for the model's energy efficiency rating and compare it to newer units on the market.

Warranty and Return Policy

Used furnaces typically do not come with warranties, leaving you liable for repairs and replacements. If the seller offers a limited warranty or return policy, review the terms carefully. In case the unit malfunctions shortly after purchase, a warranty may provide peace of mind.

Professional Installation

Even if the furnace appears in good condition, improper installation can cause safety hazards or reduce its efficiency. Hire a qualified HVAC professional to install the furnace, ensuring proper setup and compliance with local codes.

FAQs

Q: How can I tell if a used furnace is in good condition?

A: Request maintenance records, inspect components for wear, and have a professional technician evaluate its overall condition before buying.

Q: Is it worth buying a used furnace instead of a new one?

A: If the furnace is relatively new, well-maintained, and efficient, it can offer significant savings. However, consider the potential for future repairs and higher energy bills with older models.

[nelc]

The blast furnace & hearth at Redcar Steel Works. Went for a look before it's all gone. The scale is quite mind boggling!

[urbanrelics]

HAUT FOURNEAU 4

I adore visiting blast furnaces. They are the most spectacular sights I've ever got to witness. The intricacy of the engineering is quite simply astonishing. This particular specimen in Belgium, which has been under close surveilance since it was shut down in 2008, has been preserved in a remarkably good condition. Almost immediately after the closure, an interest group was established that wanted to preserve the blast furnace as an industrial landmark.

This blast furnace company, which is a defining feature of the city of Charleroi, was founded in 1836, during the heyday of the European steel industry. Like all other steel companies in the region, this blast furnace was also the subject of numerous takeovers and mergers. These mainly took place in the 1960s and 70s. It always remained a flourishing company, competitive on a global scale. However, the takeover by the Duferco group in 2001 heralded the beginning of the end…

The site was then operated under the name Carsid. After a fire in 2007, the furnace was temporarily shut down to carry out the necessary repairs. At the same time, capacity was increased and a number of environmental investments were made. The installation would now be operational for another ten years. Barely a year later, the blast furnace was shut down again, due to “poor prospects”. Due to the economic crisis and the declining demand for steel, the operation of the blast furnace company was no longer deemed profitable.

A “temporary” closure and the search for a buyer should bring relief. After more than three years of uncertainty and economic unemployment, the curtain finally fell for the blast furnace. Since HF4 is one of the best preserved blast furnaces in Europe, the Walloon government is striving to preserve the furnace as industrial heritage. Although a ministerial decree has been published to this effect, the demolition work on the site is progressing steadily…

Unfortunately Charleroi is one of the poorest cities in Belgium. There is no budget for the necessary sanitation and preservation works, which would run in the millions of euros. The futures is looking bleak for this beautiful piece of industrial heritage...

[patgavin]

Former Bethlehem Steel site

Steelstacks, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

[supplyside]

derelict

[mysterious-secret-garden]

Georges d'Ostoya - The Blast Furnaces, in “L'Assiette au beurre”, 1921.

[wikipediapictures]

Steel mill

“Metallurgist working by the blast furnaces in Třinec Iron and Steel Works.” - via Wikimedia Commons

[soapsquare]

[whats-in-a-sentence]

As shown in figure 13.58, this is an enormous chemical reactor in which heating, reduction and purification occur together.

"Chemistry" 2e - Blackman, A., Bottle, S., Schmid, S., Mocerino, M., Wille, U.

[thunderstruck9]

Edmund Lewandowski (American, 1914-1998), Blast Furnace #5, 1949. Oil on canvas, 34 x 28 ¼ in.

[spatzwhispers]

Lithgow, Australia - 2024

[saul-goodboy]

space mobians part two, because apparently these are the only things i can draw right now

part 1 -> 👽

[orendarling]

Carrie Blast Furnace

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

August, 2022

[ss13polaris]

Shipbreaking on Pluto.

Once a significant "last stop" refuelling for some of humanity's early colony ships, tiny Pluto has long since declined in significance, and has become last stop of a very different kind for many of Sol's venerable spacecraft.

Yards on and around Pluto have employed generations of hard-worn workers, first maintenance technicians, expert engineers, and now primarily shipbreakers, and its yards are entrusted with government contracts too sensitive for yards further from Sol's watchful eye.

Atrocious working conditions in the yard's early days led to the formation of the Plutonian Union of Workers which to this day positions itself as the de facto government of Pluto, though the SCG does not recognise them as a unified state.