Abstract: A build material management system for an additive manufacturing system is described in which a recovered build material tank (208) and a mixing tank (212) are provided. The recovered build material tank (208) comprises an outlet and a first build material filter (218b) for separating a gas flow from a build material flow. The mixing tank (212) comprises a second build material filter (218c). The mixing tank (212) is connected to the recovered build material tank (208) via a RBMT-to-mixer conduit (286). A controller (295) is provided to couple the second build material filter (218c) to a reduced pressure interface to transport build material from the outlet of the recovered build material tank into the mixing tank (212) via the second build material filter (218b). The controller (295) controls coupling of the first build material filter (218b) to the reduced pressure interface to transport build material from a build material source into the recovered build material tank (208).

Abstract: A system and method for the fluidized direct reduction of iron ore concentrate powder. A two-phase fluidized bed is used for the direct reduction of iron ore concentrate powder. Each phase of the fluidized bed is formed by a bubbling bed and a circulating bed. Use of serial-connection processing involving gas and of high-gas-velocity processing of the circulating bed increase the gas utilization rate and the reduction efficiency of single-phase reduction. Once reduced gases are subjected to preheating, each gas is sent into an initial reduction phase and a final reduction phase so as to implement reduction of minerals. Use of mixed-connection processing involving gas appropriately reduces processing pressure. Hot flue gas produced by combustion in a gas heater is sent to a mineral pre-heating system that is used for pre-heating iron ore concentrate powder.

Abstract: A method for introducing fine particulate material (4) of ferruginous particles into a fluidized bed reduction unit (1) having a fluidized bed (24), wherein the temperature in the fluidized bed (24) is more than 300° C., and wherein the fine particulate material (4) is introduced directly into the fluidized bed (24) and/or into a free space (25) above the fluidized bed (24) by means of a burner (2). The method may be used for producing liquid pig iron (17) or liquid steel precursor products (18) by a smelting reduction process in a smelting reduction unit (22).

Abstract: A method for introducing fine particulate material (4) of ferruginous particles into a fluidized bed reduction unit (1) having a fluidized bed (24), wherein the temperature in the fluidized bed (24) is more than 300° C., and wherein the fine particulate material (4) is introduced directly into the fluidized bed (24) and/or into a free space (25) above the fluidized bed (24) by means of a burner (2). The method may be used for producing liquid pig iron (17) or liquid steel precursor products (18) by a smelting reduction process in a smelting reduction unit (22).

Abstract: Apparatus for production of metal sponge or pig iron from metal oxide containing material in piece form using a reduction gas. A reduction reactor shaft (1); reduction gas inlet lines into the interior of the reduction reactor shaft (1); a reduction gas channel body (11) passes through the interior of the reduction reactor shaft (1) for distributing reduction gas; a reduction gas supply line for reduction gas and located below the reduction gas channel body (11) at at least one inner-wall end of the reduction gas channel body (11). The reduction gas channel body (11) has a carrier tube through which a cooling medium can flow. A first portion of the reduction gas is introduced into the bed by reduction gas inlet lines which end in the interior of the reduction reactor shaft. A second portion of the reduction gas is distributed into the bed by the reduction gas channel body.

Abstract: A process for producing hot metal includes partially reducing granular raw materials containing iron oxide with a carbonaceous reducing agent in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of at least 850° C. so as to obtain a reduced mixture. The reduced mixture is cooled to between 600° C. and 800° C. in a heat exchanger apparatus using a preheated process gas as a cooling medium that is preheated to between 300° C. and 500° C. before being introduced into the heat exchanger apparatus. The reduced mixture is then supplied to a smelting reduction unit via a discharge system.

Abstract: A heat treatment apparatus 10 for heat treating metals or metallic components includes a fluidized bed furnace 20 and a removable insert 30 which is accommodated within the fluidized bed 50 of the furnace 20. The removable insert 30 enables the geometry of the fluidized bed 50 to be optimized with respect to the size and shape of a component 70 which is to be heated.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for producing metals and/or primary metal products, in particular pig iron and/or primary pig iron products, in which a metal-containing charge material, in particular in fine particle form, is introduced, using pneumatic conveying, by means of a carrier gas stream, in the form of a stream of medium formed from the charge material and the carrier gas stream, into a melting unit, in particular a melter gasifier, for further processing. According to the invention, the charge material is introduced after the carrier gas stream has been separated off and separately at at least two introduction points, so that at least two partial quantities of the charge material can be introduced independently of one another and continuously or in stacked form.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the production and the melting of liquid pig iron or of liquid steel intermediate products in a melt-down gasifier, with the introduction of oxygen-containing gas streams through oxygen nozzles into the solid bed. At least one oxygen nozzle has a single gas supply and introduces at least two gas streams. Using plural gas streams from a nozzle reduces the risk of fluidization of the solid bed because the number of gas raceways in materials in the gasifier is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an associated apparatus for producing metals and/or primary metal products, in particular pig iron and/or primary pig iron products, in which a metal-containing charge material, in particular in fine particle form, is introduced, using pneumatic conveying, by means of a carrier gas stream, in the form of a stream of medium formed from the charge material and the carrier gas stream, into a melting unit, in particular a melter gasifier, for further processing. According to the invention, the charge material is introduced after the carrier gas stream has been separated off and separately at at least two introduction points, so that at least two partial quantities of the charge material can be introduced independently of one another and continuously or in stacked form.

Abstract: A distributor bottom, particularly a nozzle-type distributor bottom, for steadily introducing process gas, especially process gas loaded with solid particles, into a process chamber, optionally to create a fluidized bed. The process chamber is disposed above the distributor bottom and is formed by walls of a reactor used for metallurgically, particularly thermally, treating feedstock. The distributor bottom is provided with a plurality of holes. Holes are arranged near the walls to prevent substances from attaching to the reactor walls. Special arrangements relate to nozzles and ducts.

Abstract: A modular air fluidized sand bed for the heat treatment of metal products is disclosed. This technology provides for the heat-treatment of steels, particularly long products, and other alloys and shapes using fluidized-sand heat transfer media. The technology directs gas burners into U-tube assemblies suspended in the media. The fluidizing agent is hot exhaust gas recovered from the U-tubes. Blended exhaust gases and cool air can maintain fluidizing gas, plenum and retort temperatures at nearly the same temperature as the sand. Constant volume and pressure of fluidizing gas maximizes heat transfer between sand and product. For extreme heating applications, a thermally insulated cover held in direct contact with the hot fluidized sand improves energy efficiency. A sand return system returns sand lost from the bed exit to entrance. The modular air fluidized sand bed includes a fluidization pressure and volume that are altered independent of a fluidization media temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that converts iron ore into reduced materials by reducing and plasticizing the iron ore, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced materials are charged and oxygen is injected such that the melter-gasifier manufactures molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a gas injector that injects a gas into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to remove stagnating layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that reduces and plasticizes iron ore and converts the iron ore into reduced materials, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced ore is charged and oxygen is injected, the melter-gasifier manufacturing molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a cyclone that is installed in the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to collect fine iron ore. A gas injector, which prevents the fine ore from adhering by injecting gas containing carbon, is connected to the cyclone.

Abstract: A plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide includes a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes at least one gas supply tube at least partly surrounded by an annular chamber in which a stationary annular fluidized bed is located, and a mixing chamber being located above the upper orifice region of the at least one gas supply tube. The gas flowing through the at least one gas supply tube entrains solids from the stationary annular fluidized bed-into the mixing chamber when passing through the upper orifice region of the at least one gas supply tube.

Abstract: A plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide. The plant includes a reactor including a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes a gas supply system disposed in the reactor, a stationary annular fluidized bed which at least partly surrounds the gas supply system, and a mixing chamber. The gas supply system is configured so that gas flowing through the gas supply system entrains solids from the stationary annular fluidized bed into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A plant for the heat treatment of solids containing titanium includes a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes at least one gas supply tube being at least partly surrounded by an annular chamber in which a stationary annular fluidized bed is located, and a mixing chamber being located above the upper orifice region of the gas supply tube. The gas flowing through the gas supply tube entrains solids from the stationary annular fluidized bed into the mixing chamber when passing through the upper orifice region of the gas supply system. The plant further includes a solids separator downstream of the reactor. The solids separator includes a solids conduit leading to the annular fluidized bed of the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the conveyance of fine-grained solids in a fluidized bed reactor and also to a corresponding plant. It is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a central tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the central tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the central tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidizied bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron. The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron including a charge container receiving the supply of reducing material in which hot fine direct reduced iron from multiple fluidized-bed reactors are mixed; at least one pair of roller presses to which the fine direct reduced iron is supplied to undergo roll pressing, thereby producing continuous compacted material having lumped portions adjacent to each other; a crusher crushing the compacted material produced by the roller presses; and a melter-gasifier to which is charged crushed compacted material that is crushed by the crusher. Each of the pair of roller presses include pressed portions and protruded lines formed between the pressed portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the heat treatment of fine-grained solids, in particular gypsum, in which the solids are heated to a temperature of 50 to 1000° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (1), and to a corresponding plant. To improve the energy utilization, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a preferably central gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (21) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (2) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas, and to adjust the gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (2) such that the particle Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (2) between 0.02 and 2 and in the mixing chamber (21) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing molten iron that improves charging and discharge of the fine iron ore, and an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron using the same. The apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that reduces fine iron ore and converts the fine iron ore into reduced iron, ii) a fine iron ore charging bin that supplies the fine iron ore to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor, iii) a fine iron ore charging line that directly connects the fine iron ore charging bin to each of the fluidized-bed reduction reactors, and directly charges the fine iron ore into each of the fluidized-bed reduction reactor, iv) a melter-gasifier into which lumped carbonaceous materials and the reduced iron are charged and oxygen is injected, the melter-gasifier manufacturing molten iron, and v) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed includes a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a mechanism for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel. The oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism includes one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas in a downward flow into the vessel within a range of plus or minus 40° to the vertical.

Abstract: Means for conveying hot granular material from a loading zone to an arc melting furnace (3), comprising a horizontal trough (1), trough vibration generators that cause the granular material to move along the trough, a sluice gate (4) to regulate the material flow in the discharge zone and a sluice gate to regulate the material flow in correspondence with the loading zone. Separating baffles (5) are arranged inside the conveyor trough defining cells in which the granular material accumulates and considerably improving the effectiveness of the action of the gases that are forced through the granular bed, for instance to prevent oxidation of the hot DRI or to perform an additional reduction process.

Abstract: A plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide includes a fluidized bed reactor. The reactor includes at least one gas supply tube at least partly surrounded by an annular chamber in which a stationary annular fluidized bed is located, and a mixing chamber being located above the upper orifice region of the at least one gas supply tube. The gas flowing through the at least one gas supply tube entrains solids from the stationary annular fluidized bed-into the mixing chamber when passing through the upper orifice region of the at least one gas supply tube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for the heat treatment of solids containing titanium and possibly further metal oxides, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 950° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (1). To improve the energy utilization, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a gas supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture as well as of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (10) are adjusted such that the particle Froude numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (10) between 0.02 and 2 and in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing metalliferous material to a reduction product. Also disclosed is an apparatus for reducing metalliferous material to a reduction product.

Abstract: A method for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of about 630° C. in a fluidized-bed reactor (1). To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through a supply tube (3) into a mixing chamber (7) of the reactor (1), the gas supply tube (3) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (10) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bet (10) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (3) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (10) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (7) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a plant for the heat treatment of solids containing iron oxide, in which fine-grained solids are heated to a temperature of 700 to 1150° C. in a fluidized bed reactor (8). To improve the utilization of energy, it is proposed to introduce a first gas or gas mixture from below through at least one gas supply tube (9) into a mixing chamber region (15) of the reactor (8), the gas supply tube (9) being at least partly surrounded by a stationary annular fluidized bed (12) which is fluidized by supplying fluidizing gas. The gas velocities of the first gas or gas mixture and of the fluidizing gas for the annular fluidized bed (12) are adjusted such that the Particle-Froude-Numbers in the gas supply tube (9) are between 1 and 100, in the annular fluidized bed (12) between 0.02 and 2, and in the mixing chamber (15) between 0.3 and 30.

Abstract: A direct reduction process for a metalliferous material includes supplying a solid carbonaceous material and an oxygen-containing gas into a fluidized bed in a first vessel and generating heat by reactions between the oxygen-containing gas and the solid carbonaceous material and any other oxidizable solids and gases in the fluidized bed and discharging a hot off-gas stream containing entrained solids. The process also includes supplying the metalliferous material to a fluidized bed in a second vessel and supplying the hot off-gas stream containing entrained solids from the first vessel to the fluidized bed in the second vessel and partially reducing the metalliferous feed material in the solid state in the fluidized bed and discharging a product stream of partially reduced metalliferous material and an off-gas stream containing entrained solids.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that converts iron ore into reduced materials by reducing and plasticizing the iron ore, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced materials are charged and oxygen is injected such that the melter-gasifier manufactures molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a gas injector that injects a gas into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to remove stagnating layers.

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 manufacturing molten iron that improves charging and discharge of the fine iron ore, and an apparatus for manufacturing molten iron using the same. The apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that reduces fine iron ore and converts the fine iron ore into reduced iron, ii) a fine iron ore charging bin that supplies the fine iron ore to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor, iii) a fine iron ore charging line that directly connects the fine iron ore charging bin to each of the fluidized-bed reduction reactors, and directly charges the fine iron ore into each of the fluidized-bed reduction reactor, iv) a melter-gasifier into which lumped carbonaceous materials and the reduced iron are charged and oxygen is injected, the melter-gasifier manufacturing molten iron, and v) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that reduces and plasticizes iron ore and converts the iron ore into reduced materials, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced ore is charged and oxygen is injected, the melter-gasifier manufacturing molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a cyclone that is installed in the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to collect fine iron ore. A gas injector, which prevents the fine ore from adhering by injecting gas containing carbon, is connected to the cyclone.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed includes a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a mechanism for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel. The oxygen-containing gas supply mechanism includes one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas in a downward flow into the vessel within a range of plus or minus 40° to the vertical.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for smelting titanium metal by the thermal reduction of titanium oxide (TiO2) to titanium metal (Ti); a mixed salt of calcium chloride (CaCl2) and calcium oxide (CaO) contained in a reaction vessel is heated to form a molten salt which constitutes a reaction region, the molten salt in the reaction region is electrolyzed thereby converting the molten salt into a strongly reducing molten salt containing monovalent calcium ions (Ca+) and/or calcium (Ca), titanium oxide is supplied to the strongly reducing molten salt and the titanium oxide is reduced and the resulting titanium metal is deoxidized by the monovalent calcium ions and/or calcium. The method and the apparatus make it feasible to produce commercially titanium metal suitable for a variety of applications from titanium oxide.

Abstract: A heat-treatment apparatus including a first furnace for heat treatment and solution treatment of a work piece, and a second furnace for heat treatment and aging treatment of a work piece, wherein each furnace includes a dispersion tube cantilevered and immersed within a fluidized bed, the tube for blowing hot air into the fluidized bed. The first furnace includes a heat exchanger for recovering waste heat from gases discharged the first furnace for use as a heat source for the second furnace.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for feeding finely divided solids, containing at least sulphidic metal concentrate, and oxygenous oxidizing gas into a suspension smelting furnace, said apparatus comprising elements for conducting solids and oxidizing gas into the suspension smelting furnace. According to the invention, in the feed orifice (7) of the suspension smelting furnace through which solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3) are fed into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace, there is installed a suspension creation chamber (5,11) for a suspension containing solids (2) and oxidizing gas (3), in which chamber the solids (2) and at least part of the oxidizing gas (3) can be mixed to form a suspension before they flow into the reaction chamber (1) of the suspension smelting furnace.

Abstract: Granular ore or ore concentrate is charged into a furnace for calcining the ore at temperatures of 400 to 1050° C., the ore forming a stationary fluidized bed in the furnace. The ore is thrown onto the fluidized bed through an opening in the furnace housing disposed above the fluidized bed, the ore being accelerated by blades of a rotating impeller. The impeller is disposed outside the furnace in the vicinity of the opening of the housing. Preferably, the rotational speed of the impeller is variable, and the impeller is movable and/or pivotable with respect to the furnace.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for sublimation refining which gives a high-purity product in high yield while preventing corrosion of the apparatus, contamination of the product and change in quality of the product and to an apparatus useful for the method. The apparatus of this invention for sublimation refining comprises a heat generating unit made of a material generating heat by electromagnetic induction, sublimating unit A and collecting units B and C, respectively independently controllable in temperature by electromagnetic induction heating and the inner surface or the inner tube of the sublimating or collecting unit is made of a material like metal and ceramic inert to sublimable substances.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (1, 12, 16) for continuously tapping a molten phase, such as matte, from a smelting furncae, such as a flash smelting furnace, said arrangement comprising a matte tapping hole (5) provided in the furnace wall for discharging the molten phase from the furnace, an overflow tank (6) for receiving the molten phase (4), and an overflow edge (8) provided in the overflow tank for discharging the molten phase, so that in the smelting furnace, in the vicinity of the matte tapping hole (5), there can be arranged at least one heat-producing element (9, 15) in order to prevent the molten phase from being solidified.

Abstract: A method for supplying a granular raw material for reduced iron in which when the granular raw material is fed into a hopper and from there supplied onto a hearth of a movable hearth furnace through a material supplying device, the material supplying device is moved vertically to thereby adjust the gap between the lower end of the material supplying device and the hearth. Thus, the amount of granular raw material supplied onto the hearth of the movable hearth furnace is adjustable. Further, granular raw material is dispersed in the hearth width direction over the entire surface of the hearth of the movable hearth furnace with minimal breakage or pulverization of the granular raw material for reduced iron and leveled by a spiral vane rotated on the downstream side, with respect to a hearth moving direction, of a material discharge outlet of the material supplying device.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reduction reactor (100) for supplying a reduced iron to a melter-gasifier (1) of a smelting reduction system includes an exhaust gas supply unit (3) for supplying an exhaust gas to a reduction gas supply tube (4) interconnecting the melter-gasifier (1) and fluidized bed reduction furnaces (20, 30, 40) when the pressure of the reduction gas in each fluidized bed reduction furnace radically decreases with the occurrence of pressure peak in the melter-gasifier (1). The fluidized bed reduction reactors further include iron ore flow blockage prevention units for directly bypassing some of the reduction gas from each iron ore discharge tube (33, 43) disposed between the neighboring furnaces to the scrubber (50) when the inner pressure of the melter-gasifier (1) radically increases with the occurrence of pressure peak, and a backup gas supply unit supplying a backup nitrogen gas to the bottom of each fluidized bed reduction furnace when a nozzle of a distribution plate (24, 34, 44) is clogged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidized bed roaster with stabilized fluidized bed for roasting zinc concentrate which can have a uniform internal temperature distribution to form a stabilized fluidized bed, thereby dramatically reducing the amount of sulfide sulfur contained in calcine and the amount of fine calcine particle carried over to a gas discharge port.

Abstract: In a process for producing a metal melt by reducing metal-oxide-containing material in a fluidized-bed reactor by the fluidized-bed method and by subsequently melting down the reduced material in a melt-down gasifier, in the melt-down gasifier there is generated from carbon-containing material a reducing gas which is used for reducing the metal-oxide containing material by the fluidized-bed method. Both the reducing and the melting-down are effected under atmospheric excess pressure. For the purposes of transferring the reduced material from the fluidized-bed reactor into the melt-down gasifier in a simple manner, a lower pressure is set in an intermediate vessel situated above the melt-down gasifier than in fluidized-bed reactor, and the reduced material is allowed to flow, under relaxation, upwards from the fluidized-bed reactor into the intermediate vessel and conducted from the intermediate vessel via a sluice system into the melt-down gasifier while being pressurized.

Abstract: A direct smelting process for producing iron and/or ferroalloys is provided, which involves injecting feed materials into a molten bath of molten metal in a metallurgical vessel to form an expanded molten bath zone, and injecting oxygen containing gas, wherein the selection of the number of, and position of, the solids injection and oxygen gas injection lances is such that the expanded molten bath zone includes a raised region around the oxygen gas injection region, and such that splashes, droplets and streams of molten material project upwardly from the raised region, and such that a free space forms around a lower end of the oxygen gas injection lance.

Abstract: This invention provides a fluidized-bed furnace, in which the work piece is heat-treated in a fluidized bed formed by filling a vessel with particles and blowing hot air into the vessel to fluidize the particles. It includes a cantilevered dispersion tube disposed in the fluidized bed, and provided with air outlets directed downward, from which the hot air is blown out. This invention also provides a heat-treatment apparatus incorporating a rotary heat-treatment furnace, in which a work piece is heat-treated while being rotated in the fluidized bed, as the solution and/or aging treatment furnaces; removing dust from the exhaust gases discharged from the solution treatment furnace by a dust collector, and recovering the waste heat from the exhaust gases by an heat exchanger as the heat source for the aging treatment furnace; and also incorporating an automatic carrier which charges or discharges the work piece into or out of each furnace.

Abstract: In a process for the gas reduction of particulate oxide-containing ores, in particular iron-oxide-containing material, in the fluidized-bed process at a pressure of <5 bars, wherein the ore by aid of a reducing gas produced from coal is heated, optionally also pre-reduced, in a fluidized-bed reactor (1) designed as a pre-heating stage (5), subsequently is reduced to sponge iron in at least one fluidized-bed reactor (2, 3) designed as a reduction stage (7, 8), the reducing gas via a reducing-gas feed duct (12) or reducing-gas duct (13) being conducted from the reduction stage (7, 8) to the pre-heating stage (5) in the opposite direction of the material to be reduced and conducted from stage to stage, and being drawn off as an export gas after purification, heat is supplied to the reducing gas fed to the reduction stage (7, 8) and/or pre-heating stage (5), namely by combustion, together with oxygen and/or air, of a portion of the reducing gas provided for the gas reduction in the reduction stage (7, 8) and/o

Abstract: Disclosed is a fluidized bed roaster with stabilized fluidized bed for roasting zinc concentrate which can have a uniform internal temperature distribution to form a stabilized fluidized bed, thereby dramatically reducing the amount of sulfide sulfur contained in calcine and the amount of fine calcine particle carried over to a gas discharge port. The fluidized bed roaster includes an upper cylindrical section closed at an upper end thereof by a top circular roof fixedly mounted to the upper end, the upper cylindrical section having a volume corresponding to 3.8 to 4.8 times the volume of a lower cylindrical section, an intermediate tapered section fixedly coupled, at an upper end thereof, to a lower end of the upper cylindrical section, the intermediate tapered section having a structure downwardly tapered at a repose angle of 22 to 25° while having a volume corresponding to 1.7 to 2.

Abstract: A smelting reduction apparatus which separates exhaust gas, which is exhausted from a melter-gasifier or a fluidized bed reactor, into dusts and reducing gas to supply them to each fluidized bed reactor respectively is disclosed, in which the smelting reduction apparatus includes a three-stage type fluidized bed reactor, a melter-gasifier for manufacturing molten pig iron by finally reducing the fine iron ores of which reaction is finished in a final fluidized bed reactor, and a dust separating device, which performs separation of exhausted gas from the melter-gasifier into dusts and reducing gas, so as to supply the separated reducing gas to a lower part of the final fluidized bed reactor, dusts having a larger particle sizes in the separated dusts to the melter-gasifier again, and fine dusts having a smaller particle sizes in the separated dusts to an upper part of a gas distributor of the final fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: In a process for the direct reduction of particulate iron-oxide-containing material by fluidization, a synthesis gas is introduced as a reducing gas into several fluidized bed zones consecutively arranged in series. The reducing gas is conducted from one fluidized bed zone to another fluidized bed zone in counterflow to a flow of particulate iron-oxide containing material through the fluidized bed zones. In order to reduce operating costs and, in particular, the energy demand, various process parameters are varied according to the temperature of the iron-oxide-containing material in the first fluidized bed zone being adjusted to be below 400° C. (and, preferably, below 350° C.), above 580° C. (and preferably about 650° C.), or to a temperature within the range of from 400° C. to 580° C. If the temperature of the iron-oxide-containing material in the first fluidized bed zone is maintained to be below 400° C.