Abstract: A process and a smelt reduction vessel (1) for producing metals and metal alloys, in particular iron and iron alloys, from metal oxides and ores in a smelt reduction vessel. The process and the vessel are characterized in that loss of liquid and solids with waste gases (11) from the vessel are minimized by causing the waste gases, oxidizing gases (5) and entrained liquid and solids in the space in the vessel that is above the molten metal to rotate about a vertical axis of the vessel thereby forcing liquid and solids outwardly toward the wall of the vessel. This rotational motion may be caused by injecting some or all the oxidizing gases through tuyeres (4) positioned above the bath surface obliquely to a vertical plane through a vertical axis of the vessel. The vessel may have a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape at least in the space above the molten metal (2A).

Abstract: A method for increasing the durability of refractory linings in vessels having inclined areas or conical parts in their inside contour includes in fitting the refractory bricks obliquely following the inside contour of the vessel. The slant of the bricks is brought about step by step by several layers of machine-pressable turning bricks of known uniform density. This method makes it possible to obtain softer transitions from the horizontally laid bricks to the obliquely laid bricks.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for producing a ferroalloy in a smelting vessel. A material containing an alloying metal is injected into a molten bath contained in the vessel. A flux, a carbonaceous material and an oxygen-containing gas are also injected into the vessel. A gas which may be the oxygen-containing gas is injected into the molten bath in order to stir it. The rates of injection of the various components are controlled to achieve control of the oxidizing and reducing environment within the vessel consistent with a rapid rate of injection. The material containing the alloying metal is either reduced and incorporated into the metal phase or oxidized and incorporated into the slag. Combustion gases above the molten bath are oxidized to provide further heat to the process. Alloyed metal or slag containing the alloying metal are recovered as product. The process is applicable to the production of ferroalloys such as ferrochromium, ferromanganese, ferronickel and ferrovanadium.

Abstract: A method of recovering precious metals from a silver bearing ore containing polybasite, pearcite, pyrargyrite, tetrahedrite or argentite by mixing the ore with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal peroxide in slurry or solid, leaching the ore with a cyanide solution, and recovering the precious metals from the cyanide solution.

Abstract: A process for the hydrometallurgical recovery of gold from gold-bearing material comprising the step of treating gold-bearing material with an acidic lixiviant solution containing thiourea and ferric ions, characterized in that the said solution also includes a complexing agent for ferric ions, whereby consumption of thiourea is significantly reduced. The complexing agent may be selected from the group consisting of di- and tri-carboxylic acids, phosphoric acid and phosphate salts, thiocyanates, fluorides, fluosilicic acid and fluosilicate salts, EDTA and EDTA salts, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for pre-heating and pre-reducing metal oxide ores. The process comprises introducing particles of an oxide ore entrained in a gas through a port into a treatment chamber. Inside the treatment chamber teh stream of entrained particles combines with a stream of high temperature reducing gas in such a way that the particles are heated rapidly and enter into flow patterns whereby contact with other particles and the internal surface of the treatment chamber is minimized. The stream of entrained particles and the stream of high temperature reducing gas are substantially co-current. A treatment chamber elongated in the direction of co-current flow is described in the specification. The hot off-gases may be derived from a molten bath reactor and comprise a high concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Prereduced iron oxides are supplied to a smelting vessel (1) for the production of iron or steel by directing a hot reducing offgas from the vessel (1) into a vertical riser duct (8) without substantial cooling of the offgas and by way of inlet (16), particulate iron oxide containing material is entrained in the hot reducing offgas as the gas is conveyed upwardly through the duct (8). The hot gas heats the entrained material to a temperature at which partial reduction of the iron oxide occurs, the hot gas thereby, losing sensible heat. Additional materials may be introduced to the duct (8) for entrainment in the gas. Particulate material is separated in a cyclone (9) from the gas and the separated partially reduced material is introduced to the smelting vessel by way of passage (12).

Abstract: For measuring a preferably heterogeneous mass stream there is a class of measuring apparatus that uses a rotary member carried by a shaft and driven at constant speed, said rotary member deflecting radially the mass stream acting axially upon the rotary member, thereby giving it a tangential velocity component. The torque dependent on the mass stream is measured on the shaft. For this purpose a first spur wheel is provided on the shaft, that meshes with a second spur wheel. The second spur wheel is mounted in a carrier member that is in turn mounted so as to rotate about the axis of the shaft and held in position by a forcesensing device. To improve the measuring sensitivity the second spur wheel has a second toothed engagement opposite the first spur wheel with an internal toothed wheel rim which is also mounted so as to rotate about the axis of the shaft and set rotating by a driving pinion.

Abstract: Densified coal pellets of improved physical properties and enhanced calorific value are produced by a process which includes subjecting coal to a shearing-attritioning step followed by extrusion and drying steps, characterised by incorporating an additive into the coal that is subject to the said shearing-attritioning step, said additive being chosen from one or more of the group consisting of: alkali metal hydroxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, alkali metal carbonates, alkaline earth carbonates, oxides of base metals, oxides of transition metals, and small molecule carbonyl compounds.

Abstract: A smelting process of superior energy efficiency, particularly suitable for the extraction of zinc, but also of lead and copper from raw materials comprising sulphide concentrates, and oxidized metalliferous materials, is carried out by establishing at least one oxidation zone and at least one reduction zone in a furnace, each zone comprising a slag bath and a gas space; the gas spaces of the oxidation and reduction zones being separated by a partition; feeding raw materials comprising metal sulphides, together with fluxes, to the or each oxidation zone, and feeding oxygen or oxygen-rich gas into the slag bath in the or each oxidation zone to oxidize metal compounds therein and produce an off-gas containing SO.sub.

Abstract: Process for treatment of brown coal which comprises subjecting the said coal to shearing forces to produce a plastic mass which is capable of conversion by subsequent compaction and drying into a fuel of increased density and enhanced calorific value, is characterized in that the water content of the coal is more than 54% and the shearing forces are applied for less than one hour, shorter times being preferred, for example less than 30 seconds. A preferred embodiment provides a continuous process in which the coal is treated in a machine that subjects it to sequential steps of shearing and extrusion in a continuous manner. The extruded product after drying provides the fuel of increased density and enhanced calorific value. The desired effect may also be obtained by treating part of a quantity of brown coal and blending the treated portion with the untreated remainder of the said quantity.

Abstract: A fuel of increased density and calorific value is produced by subjecting brown coal to shearing forces to produce a wet plastic mass which is subsequently compacted and dried.