Insufficient information can be obtained at present on the interrelated heat exchange, physicochemical, mechanical, and aero- and hydrodynamic effects in the blast furnace. The use of heat exchange relations for evaluating features of the vertical and radial distribution of processes in the furnace is therefore considered. One of the most useful pieces of information obtained in this way is the location of the level most sensitive to changes in the temperature field. Analysis of the non-steady state nature of gas stream temperatures above the stockline and in the stock column provides new information.