The deep bottom basin of a blast furnace or cupola that catches and holds liquid metal and slag as they melt and drip down through the charge. The well must be lined with heavy refractory brick to withstand the intense heat and chemical attack of the accumulating pool. Operators tap the well periodically to drain the molten iron.
Heard on the job
The well is filling up fast, so get the ladle ready for the next tap.
Also heard as
- crucible
- hearth