Editing Basic oxygen steelmaking (section)

==Variants==

Earlier converters, with a false bottom that can be detached and repaired, are still in use. Modern converters have a fixed bottom with plugs for argon purging. The '''energy optimization furnace''' (EOF) is a BOF variant associated with a scrap preheater where the sensible heat in the off-gas is used for preheating scrap, located above the furnace roof.

The lance used for blowing has undergone changes. Slagless lances, with a long tapering copper tip, have been employed to avoid jamming of the lance during blowing. Post-combustion lance tips burn the [[Carbon monoxide|CO]] generated during blowing into [[carbon dioxide|{{CO2}}]] and provide additional heat. For slag-free tapping, darts, refractory balls, and slag detectors are employed. Modern converters are fully automated with automatic blowing patterns and sophisticated control systems.{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole section|date=April 2023}}