Since Yunchao wanted to improve iron smelting technology, he was not prepared to continue using the inefficient steel forging method.
He wanted to increase the furnace temperature to 1,600 degrees and directly use the crucible steelmaking method of later generations.
If you want pure iron to melt into molten iron, in addition to the furnace temperature reaching 1,500 to 600 degrees Celsius, you also need a container that can withstand the corresponding temperature.
Yun Chao knows what that kind of container is, which is the crucible that everyone knows.
Yun Chao not only knows the crucible, but also knows the general method of making the crucible.
It seemed to be made of graphite and clay. Yun Chao couldn't remember clearly whether kaolin or something else was added.
It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember clearly, as long as you know the general direction, leave it to professionals and they will be able to research it quickly.
A crucible alone is not enough. Without sufficient furnace temperature, relatively pure molten iron cannot be obtained, and it is still impossible to use a crucible to make steel.
Therefore, Yun Chao assigned Tang Long a task, which was to find a way to increase the furnace temperature.
His suggestion to Tang Long was to build a heat circulation system outside the original iron-making furnace and use recycled hot gas to replace ordinary air to supply air to the iron-making furnace, thereby increasing the furnace temperature.
It's a pity that Yun Chao only knows a theory, but he can't say the specific method.
But it doesn't matter. For professionals like Tang Long, some things are easy to understand with just one click. It's not very difficult. It's just a matter of trying it a few times.
Following Tang Long, Yun Chao soon arrived at the blacksmith workshop.
Seeing the silly, big and thick look Tang Long made, Yun Chao not only didn't dislike it, but actually laughed so hard that he couldn't even see his eyes.
"Lao Tang, you really are yours. You are worthy of being our Qingyang County... no, the number one blacksmith in Dongping Prefecture. In one word - awesome!"
Tang Long didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This little benefactor of his was really unbearable. As a court official, he didn't care about his status at all when he spoke. There was no deliberate intention at all, as if he really regarded himself as a friend.
"By the way, Lao Tang, can our stove turn iron into water now?"
Tang Long was very excited: "My dear friend, pig iron can be turned into molten iron, but it's a pity that wrought iron can't be turned into molten iron."
Yun Chao frowned, it seemed that the temperature was still not enough.
The temperature that can melt pig iron should have reached about 1,200 degrees. It seems that there is still a big gap between the 1,600 degrees required by the real crucible steelmaking method.
If this temperature can only be reached, the steel filling method can be used at most.
Compared with the real crucible steelmaking method, the steel filling method lags far behind and is not Yun Chao's first choice.
"Lao Tang, go find some master carpenters and discuss with them. Use the water wheel to drive the bellows and increase the wind power. It is estimated that the furnace temperature can be increased some more."
Tang Long's eyes lit up: "Is it okay to use a water wheel with a bellows?"
Yun Chao nodded: "It should be possible. The waterwheel can pull grinding, so why can't it pull the bellows? Not only can it pull the bellows, but it can also be made larger to increase the air supply volume."
The more Tang Long listened, the more excited he became, and he couldn't wait to go to the carpenter to discuss the issue of water power drive.
Yun Chao waved his hand: "Don't worry, do you know where there are coal mines near us?"
"Coal mine?" Tang Long was confused.
Yun Chao touched his nose: "It's a coal mine."
In the Dawu Dynasty, coal was not called coal, but coal. Yun Chao was used to calling coal.
Tang Long thought for a while: "We don't seem to have it in Qingyang County. I heard that Shanping County in the north seems to have it. My dear, what do you want coal for? Do you want to use coal to make iron?"
Yun Chao nodded: "Yes, if you use pebbles to make iron, the furnace temperature may be higher."
Tang Long was about to speak but stopped.
"Lao Tang, if you have anything to say, just say it. There is no need to be polite between us."
Tang Long was a little moved: "My benefactor, it is not possible to make iron with charcoal. The quality of the iron produced is not good and cannot be compared to charcoal."
Yun Chao smiled: "I know this. I have a way to make charcoal easier to use, and it also burns at a higher temperature than the original charcoal."
"Really?"
Tang Long's eyes sparkled.
"My benefactor, if it's like what you said, we can make better steel and make better weapons!"
Tang Long did not doubt that Yun Chao was bragging.
Because he has seen many magical things about Yun Chao.
Not to mention the invention of big white steamed buns, braised pork and other foods, the large waterwheel several stories high on the north bank of Wolong Valley refreshed Tang Long's outlook on life.
Especially the hydraulic drive device designed by Yun Chao. When Tang Long first saw that the waterwheel could swing a sledgehammer, Yun Chao was astonished!
And the heat recycling system that Yun Chao mentioned also opened Tang Long's eyes. Could it be that such a magical operation could be possible?
With the previous foreshadowing, Yun Chao said that giving wings to a pig would make it fly, and Tang Long believed it!
In fact, the method for improving coal mentioned by Yun Chao is very simple, which is to refine ordinary coal into coke.
Compared with coal, coke not only has a higher combustion value, but also removes many impurities, overcoming the shortcomings of ordinary coal for iron-making. This is what was mainly used for steel-making in later generations.
Yun Chao didn't know about modern environmental protection methods, but he knew about the traditional methods, which were just more polluting and have been banned in later generations.
Fortunately, no one is paying attention to environmental protection these days, so Yun Chao can still cause trouble for a while.
Compared with survival, just pollute a little, and make sure you can survive first.
"Who is that, Zhang Sihai, come here."
Zhang Sihai has been taken by Yun Chao recently, which keeps him in a state of pain and happiness.
Happiness is because I can always follow Yun Chao, and pain is also because I can always follow Yun Chao.
Only by following Yun Chao can you have the possibility of rapid rise.
At the same time, because he was always with Yun Chao, Zhang Sihai felt very constrained and not as comfortable as when he was the shopkeeper of Lion House.
"Brother Chao, what are your orders?"
Zhang Sihai hoped that Yun Chao would give him a good job, such as returning to the Lion House as the shopkeeper.
Unfortunately, Zhang Sihai was disappointed.
"Go to Shanping County in the north and buy some coal. The more, the better."
"Buy charcoal?"
Zhang Sihai was confused. He didn't know what Yun Chao wanted to do with that thing. Did he want to use charcoal for cooking?
"Brother Chao, charcoal is not good for cooking. Not only does it smell bad, it's also more expensive than firewood..."
Yun Chao didn't wait for Zhang Sihai to finish speaking, and interrupted him: "Just go if you are told, why is there so much nonsense!"
Zhang Sihai stuck out his tongue and didn't dare to say anything.
He had a hunch that if he said a few more words, he would probably go home and stay there.
Okay, okay, you are the boss, you have the final say.
When he thought about how he would have to deal with those dark and dirty things in the next period of time, Zhang Sihai suddenly felt that he was hopeless.
Every touch is black, every touch is charcoal, the face is gray, the face is dark, everyone hides, and the glorious image is ruined...
Oh my god, I can't get through this day!
