Chinese Steam 2011 - Beitai Steelworks 3

A worker undertakes the dusty job of removing the accumulated ash from the track at the loco fire cleaning area. A SY pushes vats of molten slag past past the 'dry pit' to the 'pond' tipping area. Before tipping can take place the crust that has formed on top of the slag must be broken with a large iron ball. As the molten slag is tipped into the water a vast quantity of steam is produced. The partially emptied cauldrons are then moved forward for the remainder of the molten slag and the hard crust to be tipped out. Sometimes a few knocks by the iron ball is required to help the process along. After having release agent sprayed into the vats they are returned to the furnaces for another load. Meanwhile the slag is quenched with water and then pushed by bulldozer onto a conveyor. In the conveyor shed a worker sits beside the belt apparently pushing random lumps off the belt. The crushed slag is used in the production of cement. Filmed December 2011