A large, refractory-lined vessel used to refine molten metal by blowing air or oxygen through it to oxidize impurities. It is the central piece of equipment in processes that turn pig iron into steel or copper matte into blister copper. The exothermic oxidation reactions often generate enough heat to keep the metal liquid without external fuel.
Heard on the job
The converter is tilted back, get ready to tap the heat into the ladle.