Abstract: To gain electric energy in addition to producing molten pig iron, from lumpy iron ore and solid fuels, by using a direct reduction zone for the reduction of the iron ore to sponge iron and a meltdown-gasifying zone for the production of molten pig iron, carbon carriers are used in, and oxygen-containing gases are supplied to, the meltdown-gasifying zone. The reduction gas forming is fed into the direct reduction zone. The reduction gas reacted there is supplied as top gas to a power generation plant including a turbine. In order to adapt the power generation to the power consumption by simultaneously avoiding any influence on the metallurgical conditions at the production of pig iron and its further processing, the charge of carbon carriers into the meltdown-gasifying zone is varied as a function of the gas consumption of the power generation plant in a manner that, with a higher gas consumption, the volatile constituents of the charge are increased and the C.sub.

Abstract: In a process for treating porous iron-containing particles, in particular iron sponge, performed for preventing reoxidation and/or corrosion during storage and transport it is proposed to roll the iron sponge particles in dust-shaped calcined lime stone (lime dust) and then to humidify the particles with an amount of water which is smaller than required for completely hydrating the calcined lime stone. Hydrophobing additives such as stearates, oleates, paraffins, oils, soaps or waste materials containing fats and soaps are added to the dust-shaped calcined lime stone, said hydrophobing additives being preferably added to the slaking water in form of water-soluble compounds such as ammonium stearate. The hydrophobic additives can be mixed with the calcined lime stone and optionally iron oxide dust. The process can also be performed such that two coatings are applied to the iron sponge particles to be treated in which case the hydrophobing additives are added within the second coating only.

Abstract: In a method of, and arrangement for, producing molten pig iron or steel pre-material iron-oxide-containing raw-material particles are top-charged into a fluidized bed formed of carbon particles and an oxygen-containing carrier gas. When passing the fluidized bed, the raw-material particles are heated, reduced and smolten. In order to achieve a better utilization of energy with such a method, i.e. to considerably lower the total energy input, additional energy is supplied to the fluidized bed by plasma heating.

Abstract: For removing zinc from oxide-containing iron sources, the iron source is in form of lump having a minimum grain size of 5 mm supplied together with lumpy reducing agents to a shaft-like muffle furnace being adapted to be gas-tightly closed. The muffle furnace is externally heated, for which purpose combustion chambers (2 and 3) are provided. Within the upper portion of the muffle furnace (1), the furnace charge flows through a pre-heating and pre-reduction zone (4) and subsequently to a reduction zone (5) before the reduced material is being discharged. Volatized zinc is withdrawn together with reaction gases at at least one cross-sectional plane located between the supply end and the discharge end of the muffle furnace, preferably located at the level of the upper end of the reaction zone (5).

Abstract: For protecting iron sponge particles against reoxidation and/or corrosion a coating comprising CaO as well as iron or iron oxides as adhesion promotor is applied onto the iron sponge particles. Water is subsequently sprayed onto this coating whereupon a second coating of a mixture of dust-shaped CaO and a carbon carrier is applied. This second coating is subsequently humidified with a smaller amount of water than would be necessary for completely slaking the CaO contained within the second coating.

Abstract: A process for treating sponge iron to protect it against reoxidation and/or corrosion during storage and transit comprising the steps of tumbling sponge iron which is in particle form with a pre-prepared blend of caustic lime powder and an adhesion promoting additive selected from the group consisting of iron oxide or mixtures thereof with iron to produce a coated product, the blend containing 1 to 20% by weight iron oxide; and then moistening the coated product with an amount of water less than the amount of water required for complete hydration of the caustic lime.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of iron from iron ores, in which the ore is being heated and reduced in a rotary kiln by a treatment with solid carbon and with flame gas flowing in a countercurrent, the reduced iron is being collected and overheated in a first hearth furnace and is being fed in batches into a second hearth furnace, and is being converted there to pig iron, cast iron or steel, characterized in that the hot exhaust gases formed in the second hearth furnace are passed into the first hearth furnace and then through the rotary kiln together with the hot exhaust gases produced in the first hearth furnace.

Abstract: A method of reducing iron ores in a shaft furnace. The furnace has an enlarged lower portion which is joined to an upper portion by an intermediate portion of reduced cross-sectional area. Iron ores are introduced in the upper portion of the furnace without addition of fuel (such as coke), and hot reducing gases are produced outside the furnace through partial combustion. The hot reducing gases and carbon in powder form are introduced into the lower portion of the furnace in a generally downward direction toward the iron bath in the lower portion of the furnace, and heat produced by electric energy is supplied to the furnace lower portion. Exceptionally accurate control is provided of the amount of carbon to the iron ore is very rapid.

Abstract: A joint between a rotary kiln and a tiltable hearth furnace, characterized in that a part of the hearth furnace embraces the discharge end of the rotary kiln and the pivotal axis of the hearth furnace coincides with the axis of rotation of the rotary kiln at the joint between the rotary kiln and the hearth furnace.