That has a lot of useful information.
T-mite is low tech, but after observing scores of runs, some up to 12 pounds, I know that there are a lot of complicated thermal dynamics going on.
I didn't like the sulfur/iron info though. I assumed the reaction got rid of all that nasty stuff.
As for the 5000 degree requirement, I put melt doors in the bottom and a very small tap hole. That way it gives the reaction some time to settle and separate. Consequently it sits on the refractory a while. I've weighed the iron afterwards, including all the "spatter" I could find. I find that during large runs, about 5% of the iron boils away. There is probably +- 2% as there might be a bit of unreacted iron oxide in the slag. That's around 6000F. So there are "hot spots" in the reaction.
I have designed a t-mite furnace I call "the star chamber", that utilizes a lot of insulation and a large outside heat source. Heat on more heat. I imagine the "flame" in the middle of the reaction is approaching low fusion temps. I guess around 8 grand F. I'll have to set up a cheap spectro to see one day.
I have found MgO works the best as far as heat resistance, liquid resistance and cleanness. But it's very hard to bind into a usable ceramic form.
I was wondering if anyone had any other suggestions. Thanks for the link.
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