Blast furnace gas

Blast furnace gas (BFG)[1] is a by-product of blast furnaces that is generated when the iron ore is reduced with coke to metallic iron.

It is commonly used as a fuel within the steel works, but it can be used in boilers and power plants equipped to burn it.

Blast furnace gas is sometimes flared without generating heat or electricity.

The auto ignition point of blast furnace gas is approximate 630–650 °C (1,166–1,202 °F) and it has a lower explosive limit (LEL) of 27% and an upper explosive limit (UEL) of 75% in an air-gas mixture at normal temperature and pressure.

The high concentration of carbon monoxide makes the gas hazardous.