I just got back from a cupolet iron pour at Tannehill Alabama, home of a historic old iron furnace dating back to the Civil war and I think earlier. We visited the museum, and I was surprised at how much iron has been mined and produced in the area. Porositymaster was a pour member (a member of the Alabama Art Casters), and it was great to be able to chat with him in person and share ideas about melting iron. I will try to get some photos and videos going in a little while. It was a night melt, and so the flames and sparks coming out of the cupolet were quite impressive. One of the topics of discussion in the group is the possible operation of a large cupola at one of the schools in the region. Supposedly this furnace has not been operated for 10 years, and there is a plan to fire it in 2020. It is so large that they toss whole engine blocks in it to charge it. I think I have a photo of this monster somewhere. .
I think the big cupola is at the University of Southern Mississippi. Here are some photos that porositymaster took of it. I definitely want to see this thing run. .
Here are a few pictures from last night. It is difficult to get good photos at night. I will try to post a video. Looking into one of the tuyeres. Adding coke and iron charges. Preheating the ladle and tools. .
Here is the video of the Tannehill iron pour last night (10-06-18). There were about 100 CubScouts in attendance, and they seemed to be highly impressed with the flames, spark showers, and molten metal. The darkness really emphasizes how hot things are at an iron pour. .
I've been to 4 of these pours, always very interesting. I had met PatJ there and Zapins along with Porosity Master. Tannehill is about 2 hours from where I used to live and now I'm a couple hours from cae2100.
