Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing a fixed bed in a metallurgical unit, preferably for producing pig iron or primary steel products from iron-containing charge materials, in particular in a melted gasifier, in which a lumpy bulk material, which contains ore-containing and carbon-containing constituents, prereduced iron ore, preferably sponge iron, and preferably lumpy, coal, is charged onto a surface. Through mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place. The entire ore-containing constituent is charged onto an active circumferential or peripheral region of the fixed bed, at which the thorough, preferably uniform mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place preferably outward of the center. A device scatters the stream of bulk material aver the surface and less of the material is scattered at the center, so that heavier grain lumps segregate themselves toward the center.

Abstract: A method for loading a pourable material in a container, the material being supplied by gravity forces through a channel which is arranged in the opening of the container. In order to obtain a desired material distribution in the container, the material, a little bit before the passage thereof through the opening, i.e. inside the channel, is exposed to forces modifying the displacement direction of the material given by the channel and the gravity forces.

Abstract: A method for loading a pourable material in a container, the material being supplied by gravity forces through a channel which is arranged in the opening of the container. In order to obtain a desired material distribution in the container, the material, a little bit before the passage thereof through the opening, i.e. inside the channel, is exposed to forces modifying the displacement direction of the material given by the channel and the gravity forces.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing a fixed bed in a metallurgical unit, preferably for producing pig iron or primary steel products from iron-containing charge materials, in particular in a melted gasifier, in which a lumpy bulk material, which contains ore-containing and carbon-containing constituents, prereduced iron ore, preferably sponge iron, and preferably lumpy, coal, is charged onto a surface. Through mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place. The entire ore-containing constituent is charged onto an active circumferential or peripheral region of the fixed bed, at which the thorough, preferably uniform mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place preferably outward of the center. A device scatters the stream of bulk material aver the surface and less of the material is scattered at the center, so that heavier grain lumps segregate themselves toward the center.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shaft furnace, in particular a direct-reduction shaft furnace, with a charge composed of particulate material, in particular a particulate material containing iron oxide and/or sponge iron, the said material being capable of being fed into the shaft furnace from above, and with, arranged in one plane, a multiplicity of gas-inlet orifices for a reduction gas in the region of the lower third of the shaft furnace, the shaft contour having a diametral widening and a cavity being formed between the gas-inlet orifices and the charge. The shaft furnace according to the invention makes it possible to supply gas to the shaft furnace so as to be distributed uniformly over its circumference.