Hot Blast

When the stream of air forced through a furnace is heated to 500° or 600°, it is called a Н. В. The combustible gases from the stack are generally used to heat the air. For this purpose a kind of oven is built near the top of the stack, surmounted by a kind of chimney which draws off a portion of the inflamed gas. In this oven is a series of pipes through which the air is forced before it enters the stack. The H. B. effects a saving of heat, and accomplishes the reduction of the most refractory ores in le time and with a le expenditure of fuel than the cold blast. As the fusing metal is brought in contact with le fuel, and as le air is pa ed through the furnace, the chemical reactions are probably somewhat modified, but it is thought the quality of the product is not injured. Hot-blooded, a. Having hot blood; ardent; impetuous; highly excitable in temper or disposition; high spirited; irritable; choleric. "Now the hot-blooded gods a ist mel remember, Jove, thou wast a bull for thy Europa."-Shaks.