Abstract: Processes for preparing agglomerates containing iron oxide and suitable for charging as a feed material into a blast furnace and apparatus for effectively carrying out these processes. Waste matter from commercial iron and steel operations containing iron oxide and combustible matter is charged as feed into a rotating cylinder where it is ignited by flame from a jet; then an oxygen containing gas is passed under pressure through a wind box upwardly through passages through the walls of the cylinder and upwardly through particles of burning, tumbling particles of feed matter as this matter moves as a stream and comes into agglomerate form. The treated material is discharged in agglomerate form at the end of the rotating cylinder. These agglomerates may be effectively utilized as iron bearing feed material by charging them along with other charge materials into a blast furnace.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of iron oxides to produce molten iron in which olivine is introduced into a blast furnace in addition to iron oxide bearing materials and in which there is high content of alkali metal oxides in the materials charged into the furnace, resulting in minimizing or preventing "scaffolding" and improving the operation of the blast furnace. The disclosure also includes sinters and briquettes which contain olivine and processes of preparing them, and processes for furnace operation including the charging of such sinters or briquettes.