why magnesium oxide is used in blast furnace at the walls
Magnesium oxide is used to make linings for blast furnaces and is also known as a refractory material because it is resistant to heat. Magnesium oxide due to its high melting point of around 2500-2800 degree Celsius is resistant to the high temperature in a blast furnace. Its melting point is too high because of the strong ionic bonds between the small Mg2+ and O2- ions. But it’s one of the drawback is that Magnesium oxide is a basic oxide, and so can't be used in furnaces where acids may be present. For that reason, it can be used in the furnaces involved in iron and steel making. In the Blast Furnace, limestone is added as one of the raw materials. That decomposes to form basic calcium oxide in the heat of the furnace. This would have no effect on a refractory furnace lining like magnesium oxide which is itself basic.