Bessemer process

noun Metallurgy.

a process of producing steel, in which impurities are removed by forcing a blast of air through molten iron.

Origin of Bessemer process

First recorded in 1855–60; after H. Bessemer

British Dictionary definitions for bessemer process

Bessemer process

noun

(formerly) a process for producing steel by blowing air through molten pig iron at about 1250°C in a Bessemer converter: silicon, manganese, and phosphorus impurities are removed and the carbon content is controlled
a similar process for removing sulphur and iron from copper matte

Word Origin for Bessemer process

C19: named after Sir Henry Bessemer (1813–98), English engineer

Scientific definitions for bessemer process

Bessemer process
[ bĕs′ə-mər ]

A method for making steel by forcing compressed air through molten iron to burn out carbon and other impurities.