Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How does compressed air remove impurities during the boiling method of tin refining?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
In the fire refining method known as boiling, impure tin is heated in vessels or kettles and agitated by compressed air. This process works by oxidizing the impurities present in the molten tin. Once oxidized, these impurities rise to the surface of the liquid metal to form a dross, which can then be removed.1