The "Pig Production Burden Charge" in steelmaking using a blast furnace refers to the materials charged into the blast furnace to produce pig iron, a primary form of iron that is further processed into steel. This "burden" consists of iron-bearing materials, coke, and flux: 1. **Iron-bearing materials**: These include iron ore pellets, sinter, and sometimes scrap metal. These materials provide the iron necessary for pig iron production. 2. **Coke**: Acts as a reducing agent to help extract iron from its ore and also provides the heat required to melt the iron ore. Coke is essential for the chemical reactions that occur in the furnace. 3. **Flux (e.g., limestone)**: Added to help remove impurities from the iron ore during the smelting process. The flux forms a slag with the impurities, which can be removed from the bottom of the furnace. The charge is layered in the furnace and gradually descends as it is processed at high temperatures, resulting in the production of molten iron, or pig iron, at the bottom of the furnace [[2](https://www.britannica.com/technology/blast-furnace)].