Combined Or Convertible Patents (Class 266/160)
  • Publication number: 20080286708
    Abstract: In a system for processing metal, a furnace is provided which receives the metal being processed. At least one heating burner is provided in the furnace together with at least one atmosphere burner of substantially a same construction as the heating burner. An exhaust of the atmosphere burner at least partially provides an atmosphere within the furnace for the metal processing. An exhaust of the heating burner is separate from the exhaust of the atmosphere burner. A fuel feed for the atmosphere burner and a fuel feed for the heating burner are each separately controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Vahe Ohanian
  • Publication number: 20080236778
    Abstract: A lance nozzle insert for a refractory lance for feeding an additive wire into a quantity of molten metal below the surface of the molten metal surface is made of a material comprising stabilized zirconium oxide and graphite substantially increasing the corrosion resistance of the lance nozzle insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Dominick M. Colavito, John Damiano, Yves C. Vermeulen
  • Publication number: 20080230965
    Abstract: A handling device for elements of tapping runners on a shaft furnace, in particular for runner covers, the device including a support base arranged on the cast house floor of a blast furnace, laterally of the tapping runner and a frame (14) which is supported by the support base and connected thereto by means of a bearing defining a first axis of rotation, which is essentially vertical and about which the frame can rotate relative to the support base. The device further includes a lifting arm having a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion being connected to the frame by means of at least a first rotational joint defining a second axis of rotation, which is essentially horizontal, about which the lifting arm can pivot in order to lower or lift its second end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: TMT - TAPPING MEASURING TECHNOLOGY SARL
    Inventors: Robert Gorza, Hans-Otto Kreuz, Ralf Taugerbeck
  • Publication number: 20080203629
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a system that immediately after the supply of the molten metal is stopped, the molten metal that resides in the pipe can be prevented from dripping from the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Hitoshi Mizuno, Toshio Saitoh, Takeo Imanaka
  • Patent number: 7141205
    Abstract: A method for discharging a reduced product produced on a movable hearth of a movable-hearth furnace uses a discharging device. The discharging device includes a removal unit for removing the reduced product from the movable hearth, a separation unit for separating the reduced product from a solid reductant, a leaving-returning unit for either leaving substances other than the reduced product on a solid reductant layer or returning the substances onto the solid reductant layer, and a discharge unit for discharging the reduced product to the outside of the movable-hearth furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: JFE Steel Corporation
    Inventors: Natsuo Ishiwata, Tatsuya Ozawa, Yoshitaka Sawa, Tetsuya Yamamoto, Kanji Takeda, Tetsuya Kikui
  • Patent number: 6858061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a blast furnace, CO2 being substantially removed from at least a partial stream of a top gas emerging from a reduction shaft furnace (1), and this partial stream if appropriate being heated and being introduced into the blast furnace as reduction gas, and to a plant for carrying out this process, the top gas being introduced into the lower region of the blast-furnace shaft. This measure results in an improved energy balance and improved process management compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Herbert Mizelli, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 6805723
    Abstract: A hollow partition wall is employed to feed carbon material to an underflow of a carbothermic reduction furnace used to make aluminum. The partition wall divides a low temperature reaction zone where aluminum oxide is reacted with carbon to form aluminum carbide and a high temperature reaction zone where the aluminum carbide and remaining aluminum oxide are reacted to form aluminum and carbon monoxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignees: Alcoa Inc., Elkem ASA
    Inventors: Jan Arthur Aune, Kai Johansen
  • Patent number: 6797034
    Abstract: A method of producing reduced metals is disclosed in which a mixture of a metal oxide and a reducing agent is heated by a burner such that the metal oxide is reduced to a reduced metal. Dry-distilled gas generated during carbonization of an organic matter-containing component is used as fuel for the burner. The sensible heat of exhaust gas evolved by the burner is utilized as heat for carbonizing the organic matter-containing component. Carbide derived by carbonizing the organic matter-containing component is used as the above reducing agent. This method yields excellent cost performance. An apparatus for reducing metal oxides is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Seiko Sho
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sugitatsu, Hidetoshi Tanaka, Takao Harada
  • Patent number: 6726875
    Abstract: Steel work gases (blast-furnace gases, coke-oven gases, converter gases, etc.) are burnt with an exhaust gas from a gas turbine, optionally with a supply of natural gas and of air, in a combustion section between the outlet of the gas turbine and the inlet of a recovery boiler, the steam from which is utilized especially for producing electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide—Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pascal Avart, Jérôme Girard, Geneviéve Mure, Emmanuel Pousset
  • Patent number: 6648942
    Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for iron-making/steel-making using a modified rotary hearth furnace, that is a finisher-hearth-melter (FHM) furnace. In the method the refractory surface of the hearth is coated with carbonaceous hearth conditioners and refractory compounds, where onto said hearth is charged with pre-reduced metallized iron. The pre-reduced metallized iron is leveled, then heated until molten, and then reacted with the carbon and reducing gas burner gases until any residual iron oxide is converted to iron having a low sulfur content. Nascent slag separates from the molted iron forming carburized iron nuggets. The nuggets are cooled, and then the iron nuggets and the hearth conditioners, including the refractory compounds, are discharged onto a screen, which separate the iron nuggets from the hearth conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Midrex International B.V. Rotterdam, Zurich Branch
    Inventors: Glenn E. Hoffman, Robert M. Klawonn
  • Patent number: 6589473
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a copper wire includes a melting furnace in which combustion is performed in a reducing atmosphere so as to produce molten copper; a holding furnace for maintaining a predetermined temperature of the molten copper supplied from the melting furnace; a casting trough for sealing the molten copper supplied from the holding furnace in a non-oxidizing atmosphere and for transferring the molten copper to a tundish; a degasser provided in the casting trough for dehydrogenating the molten copper passing therethrough; a continuous casting machine for continuously producing cast copper from the molten copper supplied from the tundish, and a cutter for cutting the cast copper into a predetermined length. The apparatus permits a dehydrogenating treatment to be performed without requiring a long moving distance of molten copper, and in which the generation of holes in solidification is suppressed, whereby high quality low-oxygen copper wire having superior surface quality can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Haruhiko Asao, Yutaka Koshiba, Keiji Nogami, Tutomu Masui, Kazumasa Hori, Kenji Wakiguchi, Masahiko Wada, Yoshiaki Hattori
  • Patent number: 6582492
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing melt iron comprising the following steps: a) reducing the iron ore particles to form pre-reduced iron comprising excess free carbon; b) hot process transfer of the pre-reduced iron in a smelting furnace; c) smelting the pre-reduced iron in a smelting furnace to obtain melt iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Paul Wurth S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Roth, Marc Solvi, Jean Monai
  • Patent number: 6576040
    Abstract: All of the air is compressed in a single compressor, which feeds a smelter for smelting ore, a converter for converting matte coming from the smelter and an air separation unit which delivers two oxygen streams for enriching the air. A buffer tank is used to deliver a variable flow of enriched air to the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Didier Magnet, Norbert Rieth
  • Patent number: 6551548
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing reduced iron, and a compact drying method for application to the apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pelletizer or a briquetter for mixing and agglomerating coal as a reducing agent and iron ore as iron oxide to form compacts, a dryer for drying the compacts, a circular rotary hearth type reducing furnace for reducing the dried compacts in a high temperature atmosphere, a first heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between a hot off-gas discharged from the reducing furnace and combustion air to be supplied to the reducing furnace, and coolers for cooling the hot off-gas. A second heat exchanger for heating drying air is disposed on an exit side of the first heat exchanger. The drying air heated by the second heat exchanger is supplied to the dryer to dry the compacts with the drying air which is scant in moisture. Consequently, highly efficient, stable drying in the dryer can be performed, and high quality reduced iron can be produced stably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Kamikawa, Kouichi Hirata, Hironori Fujioka, Hideaki Mizuki, Keiichi Sato
  • Patent number: 6491864
    Abstract: Plant for charging metal carriers which contain a portion of fines and are at least partially reduced to a melter gasifier in which a melt-down gasifying zone formed by a bed is maintained, the metal carriers and carbon carriers are fed into the melter gasifier above the level of the melt-down gasifying zone. The metal carriers descend to the melt-down gasifying zone and travel through the same forming a metal melt and producing a reducing gas by coal gasification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Inc., Foundation
    Inventors: Udo Gennari, Johannes-Leopold Schenk
  • Patent number: 6482351
    Abstract: An apparatus for producing reduced iron dries agglomerates, pelletized from a powdery mixture of an iron oxide powder and a reducing agent, in a drying chamber, preheats the dried agglomerates in a preheating chamber, and then reduces the preheated agglomerates in a high temperature atmosphere of a reducing furnace. In the preheating chamber, an off-gas from the reducing furnace is convected to preheat the dried agglomerates. A decrease in the fuel cost, and downsizing of the equipment can be achieved by effective use of the sensible heat of the off-gas discharged from the reducing furnace. Moreover, a downsized, simplified system for treatment of the off-gas is realized by decreasing the amount of the off-gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Kamikawa, Kouichi Hirata, Yoshimitsu Onaka
  • Patent number: 6440193
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for carbothermic production of aluminum where molten bath aluminum carbide and aluminum oxide are produced in a low temperature compartment (2), and continuously flow into a high temperature compartment (3) where the aluminum carbide is reacted with alumina to produce a top aluminum layer (31), where the aluminum layer (31) forms a layer on the top of a molten slag layer and is tapped from the high temperature compartment (3) at outlet (5), and where off-gases from the two compartments are treated in reactors fed by one or more columns (9, 19). According to the invention the low temperature compartment (2) and the high temperature compartment (3) are located in a common reaction vessel (1) where the low temperature compartment is separated from the high temperature compartment by an underflow partition wall (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Alcoa Inc., Elken ASA
    Inventors: Kai Johansen, Jan A. Aune
  • Patent number: 6416566
    Abstract: In the process for the production of liquid pig iron 943) or liquid steel pre-products from charging substances comprising iron ore (5) and fluxes and at least partially containing a portion of fines, the iron ore is directly reduced to sponge iron in at least two reduction stages (1, 2) by the fluidized bed method, the sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasifying zone (39) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H2-containing reducing gas is produced which is injected into reduction zones of the reduction stages (1, 2), is reacted there, is withdrawn as a top gas and optionally is supplied to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Werner Leopold Kepplinger, Felix Wallner, Johannes Schenk, Il-Ock Lee, Yong-Ha Kim, Moon Duk Park
  • Patent number: 6379423
    Abstract: In a device for producing sponge iron from lumps of iron oxide in a reduction shaft (1), a hot, dust-containing and carbon monoxide-rich reduction gas is used. The reduction gas is generated in a gas generator by partial oxidation of solid carbon-containing materials and is in part supplied to the reduction shaft through several lateral reduction inlets (3) arranged at the same height around the circumference of the reduction shaft at the lower end of the reduction zone. The lumps of iron oxide are introduced into the reduction shaft through its top area and discharged as sponge iron at its bottom end. Additional reduction gas inlets (15) shaped as downwardly open channels (11) which extend from the outside to the inside of the reduction shaft and/or shaped as ducts which extend obliquely downwards from the outside to the inside of the reduction shaft and have open inner ends are arranged below the plane of the lateral reduction gas inlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bogdan Vuletic
  • Patent number: 6332911
    Abstract: In a method for the production of liquid metal, in particular liquid pig iron (9) or liquid steel pre-products, from metal carriers, in particular partially reduced or reduced sponge iron (3), in a melter gasifier (1) in which with supply of a carbon-containing material at least partially formed of fine coal (16) and coal dust (13) and with supply of oxygen or oxygen-containing gas the metal carriers are melted in a bed (4) of the carbon-containing material at the simultaneous formation of a reducing gas, optionally upon previous final reduction, fine coal (16) and coal dust (13) which are being charged, are mixed with bitumen (20) in the hot state, after undergoing a drying operation, and subsequently are cold-briquetted, and the briquettes (25) thus formed are charged to the melter gasifier (1) in the cold state and in the melter gasifier (1) are subjected to shock-heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Schrey, Parviz Zahedi
  • Patent number: 6319302
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing reduced iron agglomerates comprises the steps of supplying iron oxide agglomerates including carbonaceous material on a moving hearth, heating and reducing the agglomerates to yield reduced iron agglomerates while the moving hearth moves in the reduction furnace, discharging the reduced iron agglomerates from the reduction furnace, recovering the reduced iron agglomerates, and removing seized hearth fragments separated from the moving hearth in close proximity to a discharge location or a recovery location for the reduced iron while the reduction furnace is being operated. According to the method, the reduction furnace can be operated for a long period of time without stopping the operation thereof and supply of the iron oxide agglomerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Harada
  • Patent number: 6273934
    Abstract: A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of partially pre-reducing the metal oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 60% in one or more pre-reduction stages. Thereafter, the method comprises completely reducing the metal oxides and melting the metal in a smelt reduction stage. The method is further characterized by carrying out at least one of the pre-reduction stages with one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas as a source of reductant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Technological Resouces Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Rodney James Dry
  • Patent number: 6254663
    Abstract: In the process for the production of liquid pig iron 943) or liquid steel pre-products from charging substances comprising iron ore (5) and fluxes and at least partially containing a portion of fines, the iron ore is directly reduced to sponge iron in at least two reduction stages (1, 2) by the fluidized bed method, the sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasifying zone (39) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H2-containing reducing gas is produced which is injected into reduction zones of the reduction stages (1, 2), is reacted there, is withdrawn as a top gas and optionally is supplied to a consumer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Werner Leopold Kepplinger, Felix Wallner, Johannes Schenk, Il-Ock Lee, Yong-Ha Kim, Moon Duk Park
  • Patent number: 6241798
    Abstract: In order to be able to process in an economical manner different iron carriers in varying quantitative compositions, a plant for the production of iron melts (4), in particular steel melts, such as crude steel melts, is equipped with an electric are furnace vessel (1), a refining vessel (3) following upon the furnace vessel (1) via a weir (34) and including a bottom departing from the weir (34) in an at least partially downwardly inclined manner and an oxygen supply means (35, 36) as well as an iron melt tap (41) provided in its end region farther remote from the furnace vessel (1), a decanting vessel (2) following upon the furnace vessel (1) and having a common bottom (18) with the furnace vessel (1), said decanting vessel being provided with a slag tap (43) in its end region farther remote from the furnace vessel (1), a supply means (21) supplying liquid pig iron (20) and opening into the furnace vessel (1), a preheating shaft (5) supplying solid iron carries (7), said preheating shaft being arranged a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Dimitrov, Norbert Ramaseder, Wilfried Pirklbauer, Ernst Fritz, Heinz Müller
  • Patent number: 6224647
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device comprising a fusion gasifier and a reduction shaft arranged thereabove and for reduction of iron ore in spongy iron. The spongy iron is introduced through horizontal discharge devices in the lower section of the reduction shaft, and a pipe connection is introduced into the head section of the fusion gasifier where it is melted using a oxygen-containing gas and gasifying means also conveyed into the head of the fusion gasifier, and is reduced to liquid crude iron. A reduction gas is produced at the same time which is conveyed out of the head of the fusion gasifier. The discharge devices lead into a dust-blocking container arranged in a lower section of the reduction shaft and to which the pipe connection leading to the fusion gasifier is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bogdan Vuletic
  • Patent number: 6210463
    Abstract: Copper matte is processed to anode copper without oxidizing blister copper in an anode furnace. Copper matte, in either molten or solid form, is fed to a continuous copper converting furnace in which it is converted to blister copper and slag. The blister copper and slag collect in the settler region of the furnace and separate into two phases, a blister copper phase and a slag phase (the latter floating upon the former). The converting furnace is equipped with means for stirring or agitating the interface of the blister copper and slag phases such that the sulfur content of the blister copper phase and the copper content of the slag phase are reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation
    Inventors: David B. George, Philip J. Gabb, John F. Castle, Torstein Utigard
  • Patent number: 6183534
    Abstract: In a plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron, comprising at least one fluidized bed reactor adapted to receive fine ore, a reducing-gas feed duct leading to said fluidized bed reactor, an off gas discharge duct departing from the fluidized bed reactor and a discharge means, preferably a briquetting means, provided for the reduction product formed in the fluidized bed reactor, the off gas discharge duct of the fluidized bed reactor runs into a purification means, such as a scrubber, subsequently into a heating means and finally into the reducing gas feed duct of the fluidized bed reactor. To produce a product having a high quality standard at a minimum energy input, the heating means is constructed such that it comprises two stages including a heat exchanger as the heating means for the reducing gas and, connected serially therewith, a partial combustion means for the reducing gas with an oxygen feeding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Voest-Alphine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Konstantin Milionis, Dieter Siuka, Horst Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 6152984
    Abstract: A system for producing directly reduced iron integrated with a turbine power generator and preferably a cryogenic air separation plant wherein off-gas from the direct reduction drives the turbine and preferably oxygen from the air separation plant is used to generate synthesis gas for the direct reduction and nitrogen from the air separation plant dampens NOx generation and augments power generation in the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Francis Drnevich
  • Patent number: 6126717
    Abstract: A method wherein air is separated in an air separation unit (9), the oxygen thus generated is consumed during at least one step (2, 12, 13) of the steel-making process, the resulting gas is at least partially decarbonated, and the at least partially decarbonated gas is used (at 13) in a reduction reaction of the steel-making process. The partial decarbonation step cyclically includes a CO.sub.2 fixation step using a fixation agent, and a regeneration step in which the agent is regenerated in a reactor. Nitrogen generated by the air separation unit (9) is fed into the reactor during the fixation agent regeneration step. The method is useful in combined coal gassification/direct iron ore reduction processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Pierre Gauthier, Jerome Jutard, Xavier Vigor
  • Patent number: 5997608
    Abstract: In a process for the production of molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products and sponge iron from charging materials consisting of iron ore and, if desired, fluxes, direct reduction of the charging materials to sponge iron is carried out in a fixed-bed reduction zone, the sponge iron is melted in a meltdown gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers as well as an oxygen-containing gas and a CO- and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced which is fed to the reduction zone, is reacted there and is drawn off as an export gas, and the drawn-off export gas is subjected to CO.sub.2 elimination and for the production of sponge iron is along with part of the reducing gas formed in the meltdown gasifying zone as an at least largely CO.sub.2 free reducing gas conveyed to a further reduction zone for the direct reduction of iron ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Diehl, Gerald Rosenfellner, Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Konstantin Milionis, Dieter Siuka, Horst Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 5989308
    Abstract: A plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron includes a direct-reduction shaft furnace for lumpy iron ore, a melter gasifier, a feed duct for a reducing gas connecting the melter gasifier with the shaft furnace, a conveying duct for the reduction product formed in the shaft furnace connecting the shaft furnace with the melter gasifier, a top-gas discharge duct departing from the shaft furnace, feed ducts for oxygen-containing gases and carbon carriers running into the melter gasifier and a tap for pig iron and slag provided at the melting vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industriean-lagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Leopold-Werner Kepplinger, Konstantin Milionis, Dieter Siuka, Horst Wiesinger
  • Patent number: 5961690
    Abstract: In a process for producing molten pig iron or liquid steel pre-products, from particulate iron-oxide-containing material by fluidization, the iron-oxide-containing material is prereduced in at least one prereduction stage (7) by aid of a reducing gas and subsequently is reduced to sponge iron in a final reduction stage (8), the sponge iron is melted in a meltdown-gasifying zone (11) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced which is introduced into the final reduction stage (8), is reacted there, is drawn off, subsequently is introduced into a prereduction stage (7), is reacted there, is drawn off, subjected to scrubbing and subsequently is carried off as an export gas and wherein at least a portion of the reacted reducing gas is purified from CO.sub.2, is heated and is used as a recycle-reducing gas for the reduction of the iron-oxide-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd, Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Werner Leopold Kepplinger, Felix Wallner, Johannes-Leopold Schenk
  • Patent number: 5882579
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron using a melter-gasifier and two reduction reactors. In the first reduction reactor, iron ore is prereduced using a reducing gas from a melter-gasifier. This prereduced iron ore is fed into the melter-gasifier to produce pig iron. A secondary reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide is withdrawn from the first reduction reactor and is reacted with water to produce carbon dioxide which is subsequently removed to produce a tertiary reducing gas that is used in the second reduction reactor to produce direct reduced iron from iron ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Hylsa S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Ricardo Viramontes-Brown, Juan Antonio Villarreal-Trevino
  • Patent number: 5858060
    Abstract: A method for purifying iron carbide begins by feeding ore to a reaction chamber. A mixture of iron, iron oxides, gangue, and iron carbides is extracted from the reaction chamber. The temperature of the mixture is then adjusted to a range of 400.degree.-500.degree. C. The mixture, at the adjusted temperature, is subjecting to a first magnetic field for separating the mixture into a magnetic fraction including iron and iron oxides from a non-magnetic fraction including gangue and iron carbides. This is followed by a cooling of the non-magnetic fraction of gangue and iron carbides below the Curie temperature of iron carbide. The gangue and iron carbides are subjecting to a second magnetic field for separating the iron carbides, that become magnetic, from the gangue that remains non-magnetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: TH Engineering France S.A.
    Inventor: Jacques Ruer
  • Patent number: 5567379
    Abstract: A plant is provided for producing molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products from lumpy, iron-ore-containing charging substances. The plant comprises a reduction shaft furnace for receiving lumpy, iron-ore-containing charging substances, the plant including a melter gasifier for receiving the reduction product formed in the reduction shaft furnace. The plant also includes a first charging device for at least one of iron ore and ore dust and a second charging device for solid carbon carriers, the melter gasifier being provided with a device for flow-connecting the first charging device for at least one of iron ore and ore dust and the second charging device for charging carbon carriers to at least one dust burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Leopold W. Kepplinger, Panajiotis Matzawrakos, Johannes Schenk, Dieter Siuka
  • Patent number: 5535991
    Abstract: A process for producing molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products from charging substances formed of iron ores and fluxes and at least partially comprising fines, wherein the charging substances are directly reduced to sponge iron in at least one reduction zone by the fluidized layer process, the sponge iron is melted in a melting-gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas, and a CO and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced, which is injected into the reduction zone, is reacted there, is withdrawn as an export gas and is supplied to a consumer, is to be improved with a view to rendering feasible the use of fine ore in an economic manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Werner Kepplinger, Panajiotis Matzawrakos, Johannes Schenk, Dieter Siuka, Christian Bohm
  • Patent number: 5529291
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron from iron oxide fines. The iron oxide raw material is conducted through a series of circulating fluidizable beds in which the fluidizing gas is a strong reducing gas mixture, which allows intimate contact between the fines and the reducing gas to facilitate the direct reduction of the iron oxide fines to metallized iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Midrex International B.V. Rotterdam, Zurich Branch
    Inventor: David C. Meissner
  • Patent number: 5429341
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and a capsule for carrying out processes of directed crystallization, especially in cosmic space conditions. The apparatus comprises a first compartment forming a multizone furnace having an inner surface divided into heating zones for heating up material pieces to be processed, and a second compartment for receiving capsule holders bearing capsules for receiving the material pieces, the first and second compartments being connected with one another through a cooled neck part and determining together a common closed space, the second compartment includes an upper and a lower annular rims prepared with cutouts for capsule holders, the capsule holders and the rims forming together a magazine of capsules, and revolving manipulating means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Miskolci Egyetem
    Inventors: Pal Barczy, Gabor Buza, Gyorgy Czel, Jozsef Fancsali, Peter Makk, Csaba Raffay, Andras Roosz, Bela Tolvaj
  • Patent number: 5402990
    Abstract: This invention provides a method and appratus whereby steel of various compositions may be produced from iron ore and coal through a series of stages without the intermediate production of liquid iron. A reforming reactor receives top gases from the steel making reactors, and converts them to high reduction potential gases which are returned to the steel making reactors. The iron ore and reductants, such as coal, are charged to a controlled atmosphere reactor which may be an inclined rotary cylindrical shaft. From the controlled atmosphere reactor the charge is moved to a potential shift reactor which is inclined or vertical and encounters increasing heat and rising gases for converting the carbonised sponge into a semi-molten state. The charge then passes to a high temperature reactor where it encounters the reducing gases from the reforming reactor and preheated oxygen to create temperature in which steel is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Inventor: Ghulam Nabi
  • Patent number: 5317862
    Abstract: In a process integration, particularly with a blast furnace, nitrogen under pressure is moisturized by the addition to it of hot, pressurized water. The moisturized nitrogen is expanded and power thereby generated. The nitrogen is not mixed with combustion gases. Improved heat balance and work recovery are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: The BOC Group, plc
    Inventor: Thomas Rathbone
  • Patent number: 5290412
    Abstract: A process for separating an electrodeposited metal from a cathode plate in electrolytic refining is disclosed. The cathode plate on which the metal is electrodeposited is first held. Then, heated air is blown toward the cathode plate and the electrodeposited metal thereon. As a result, the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate. An apparatus for carrying out the same process is also disclosed. The apparatus includes a separating furnace, a holding assembly, and a device for introducing heated air into the separating furnace. The holding assembly is attached to the separating furnace for holding the cathode plate in the furnace. The heated air-introducing device introduces heated air, blowing it against the cathode plate, whereby the electrodeposited metal is separated from the cathode plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Hideomi Saito, Saburo Tanaka, Hiroyuki Morozumi, Akiyoshi Tatsui, Akira Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 5268019
    Abstract: Air is taken from the air compressor of a gas turbine including in addition to the compressor a combustion chamber and an expansion turbine. The gas turbine drives an alternator. The air taken from the compressor is cooled in heat exchanger to remove heat of compression therefrom. The air is separated in an air separation plant into oxygen and nitrogen. A stream of oxygen is withdrawn from the plant and used in a blast furnace in which iron is made. The off-gas from the blast furnace is a low grade gaseous fuel. It is compressed in compressor which has interstage cooling to remove at least some of the heat of compression. The compressed fuel gas is passed through the heat exchanger countercurrently to the air stream. The resulting pre-heated fuel gas flows into the combustion chamber of the gas turbine and is burned therein to generate gaseous combustion products that are expanded in the turbine. A nitrogen stream is withdrawn in the air separation plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Thomas Rathbone
  • Patent number: 5244489
    Abstract: There is produced by an air distillation apparatus (4) a desired fraction of air from the stream of air leaving at least one blower (3) of the blast furnace, and there is sent to the blast furnace the oxygen produced by this distillation apparatus. The distillation apparatus comprises an air/liquid oxygen mixing column which operates at about 1 bar above the delivery pressure of the blower (3) and which directly produces the oxygen for enriching the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Maurice Grenier
  • Patent number: 5218617
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding iron-bearing particles into a metallurgical furnace such as an electric arc furnace, comprising a vessel for containing a bath of molten iron, having a wall extending above the bath of molten iron, a preferably screw type feeder mounted on the exterior of the vessel, a feeding port in the vessel wall shaped to permit passage of the feeder into the interior of the bath of vessel and located at such a height from the molten iron so that no molten materials will spill out from the furnace through the port during the normal operation and maneuvering of the furnace; and actuating means for extending the screw type feeder from a retracted position out of the vessel to an extended position into the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Assignee: Hylsa S.A. de C.V.
    Inventors: Marco A. Herrera-Garcia, Rodolfo A. de la Garza Villarreal
  • Patent number: 5143355
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for manufacturing an oxygen-free copper having an oxygen content of no greater than 3 ppm by weight are disclosed. In the method, a deoxidizing step is carried out by bringing a reducing gas containing hydrogen gas into contact with a molten copper to react on the oxygen to remove the same. Then a dehydrogenation step may be carried out by bringing a gas of lean hydrogen concentration into contact with the molten copper. Accordingly, the apparatus has a deoxidizing device for blowing the reducing gas into the molten copper and preferably a dehydrogenation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Takuro Iwamura, Tsugio Koya, Izumi Sukekawa, Hideru Hagiwara, Haruhiko Asao, Toshiaki Shigematsu, Hideki Sato
  • Patent number: 5139236
    Abstract: A furnace system particularly adapted for use with a continuous upcaster. Instead of employing discrete furnaces, tundishes, ladles and the like, the instant unitary system employs a furnace, a feeding mechanism for directly introducing material into the furnace and a plasma torch to melt the material. The rate of material entering the furnace is balanced by the quantity of product emerging from the upcaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: Inco Alloys International, Inc.
    Inventor: William L. Mankins
  • Patent number: 5069715
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an overall direct smelting process which provides for separating the carburization function from the heating function to permit separate control of the individual functions. One embodiment of the smelting reactor is divided into a carburization/smelting section and a heating section with a substantial recirculation of the molten product from the heating section back to the carburization/smelting section. The heating section also serves as a slag/metal separation section. Carburization is achieved by injection of solids (fine coal mixed with slagging agents), where desired. Gas generating solids or inert gases are injected into a lift pipe to provide a motive force for circulation of the molten metal. The circulation rate through the system is a function of the injected solid composition, the mass flow rate of the solids injected into the lift pipe and the lift pipe geometry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1991
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Reid
  • Patent number: 5064174
    Abstract: A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Northern States Power Company
    Inventors: John M. Lehto, Raymond L. Smith
  • Patent number: 4995904
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for pretreatment of a lumpy carbon carrier suitable for forming a fluidized bed and a solid bed used in the production of pig iron from iron ore. The ore is pre-reduced in at least one reduction plant and the thus produced iron sponge is subsequently final reduced and fused in a melt-down gasifier with the help of the lumpy carbon carrier and an oxygen-containing gas and is the carbon carrier is fed into the upper part and the oxygen-containing gas is fed into the lower part of the melt-down gasifier. These materials form, together with the iron sponge, a fluidized bed in the melt-down gasifier. Below the fluidized bed, a solid bed is formed consisting of said lumpy carbon carrier. A suitable carbon carrier may be formed by pretreating available coal by one of two methods. Lumpy coal tending to burst upon subjection to a shock-like thermal load is preheated for a minimum of one hour at a temperature of at least 300.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1991
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Rolf Hauk
  • Patent number: RE39536
    Abstract: In a method for the production of liquid metal, in particular liquid pig iron (9) or liquid steel pre-products, from metal carriers, in particular partially reduced or reduced sponge iron (3), in a melter gasifier (1) in which with supply of a carbon-containing material at least partially formed of fine coal (16) and coal dust (13) and with supply of oxygen or oxygen-containing gas the metal carriers are melted in a bed (4) of the carbon-containing material at the simultaneous formation of a reducing gas, optionally upon previous final reduction, fine coal (16) and coal dust (13) which are being charged, are mixed with bitumen (20) in the hot state, after undergoing a drying operation, and subsequently are cold-briquetted, and the briquettes (25) thus formed are charged to the melter gasifier (1) in the cold state and in the melter gasifier (1) are subjected to shock-heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Schrey, Parviz Zahedi