Abstract: A system for generating power with the top pressure of a plurality of blast furnaces by leading a gas from the top of the furnaces into turbines, corresponding in number to the furnaces, to convert the pressure of the gas into rotational energy and generate power by a generator coupled to the turbines. The turbines connected to the furnaces by main gas channels individually are aligned with their rotor shafts connected together into a single shaft which is connected to the generator. Preferably each pair of the adjacent turbines are arranged with their intake ends positioned in the center of the arrangement so that the gas flows toward the exhaust ends at both sides, or with their intake ends positioned at both sides to cause the gas to flow toward the exhaust ends in the center. The single shaft connecting the pair of turbines together has no intermediate bearing between these turbines.

Abstract: Method in which a metal fuel in the form of molten droplets is brought into contact with water for reaction. The fuel comprises aluminum as a primary fuel component and at least one of lithium, magnesium, sodium, potassium and sodium-potassium alloy as an auxiliary fuel component and is used in the form of an alloy or a mixture of these fuel components. When used in the form of an alloy, the fuel is preheated to a molten state and injected into a reactor under high pressure, whereby the fuel is made into droplets and contacted with water vapor introduced into the reactor from another system. For use as a mixture, the fuel is made into a slurry the liquid phase of which consists singly of the auxiliary fuel component, and the slurry is injected into an atmosphere containing water vapor.