Abstract: A method of melting an aluminum charge having no more that 4% salt by mass, including during a melting phase, introducing fuel and oxidant via a burner operating at a first firing rate, the fuel and oxidant reacting to form a combustion zone above the aluminum charge, terminating the melting phase and commencing a transition phase when the aluminum charge is nearly completely molten, during the transition phase, reducing the firing rate of the burner to a second firing rate lower than the first firing rate, introducing a non-oxidizing gas at a first velocity to form a non-oxidizing zone between the combustion zone and the aluminum charge, and allowing the aluminum charge to become completely molten, and terminating the transition phase and commencing a tapping phase after the aluminum charge has become completely molten, and during the tapping phase, pouring the molten aluminum charge out of the furnace.

Abstract: An alloy flake production apparatus (1) includes a crystallinity control device (2) for controlling an alloy crystal structure of fed alloy flakes to a desired state, a cooling device (3) for cooling the alloy flakes discharged from the crystallinity control device (2), and a chamber for keeping these devices under reduced pressure or under an inert gas atmosphere. The crystallinity control device (2) has a rotary heating drum (21) in a cylindrical shape for heating the fed alloy flakes, and a switching device (23) for switching between storage and discharge of the alloy flakes fed to an inner wall side of the heating drum (21), so that long-time heat treatment is uniformly applied to the alloy flakes immediately after being made by ingot crushing. The heating drum (21) preferably has a scooping blade plate (22) for scooping up alloy flakes fed to the inner wall side with its rotation.

Abstract: An apparatus for melting and refining impure nonferrous metals, comprising a tiltable reverberatory furnace with a furnace body that has a base with a rectangular plan shape and is provided with two mutually opposite heads, which are mutually connected by a bottom wall, by an upper wall or ceiling and by two side walls, the furnace being provided with means for the tilting of the furnace body about an axis which is substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the heads; the furnace has, in a central region of the upper wall, a portion that protrudes upwardly from the remaining portion of the upper wall and is delimited in an upper region by a flying buttress-like wall and laterally by two mutually opposite side walls, the portion having, on the side that faces the flying buttress-like wall, a loading port, which is closed by a movable door.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing material such as organically coated waste and organic materials including biomass, industrial waste, municipal solid waste and sludge, is provided. The apparatus comprises a rotatable and tiltable furnace (1) having a body portion (15), a single material entry point (11) and a tapered portion (13) between the entry point and the body. The furnace has a closure through which material can be introduced to the furnace (1) when open and in which the interior of the furnace is isolated from the external environment when closed. A director at or adjacent the entry point (11) directs gases inwardly of the furnace so as to provide a barrier of gas adjacent the opening to inhibit the entrance of oxygen containing atmospheric gas when the closure is in its open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing iron oxides using microwave heating in a furnace chamber which is sealed against the entrance of air reduces the energy required and produces a low temperature reduction and allows the recovery of combustible synthetic gas as a byproduct of the process. Avoidance of the reduction of sulfur, phosphorus and silica is also insured, as is the need to reduce the silica content of the feed material prior to reducing the ore. A continuous rotary hearth furnace, a rotary kiln, a linear conveyor and vertical shaft furnace chamber configurations are described. A secondary heating zone can also be included to process the reduced iron into iron nuggets or liquid metallic iron.

Abstract: Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.

Abstract: A hearth furnace for producing direct reduced iron is described. The furnace has first and second combustion chambers, each having a rotating hearth within it to receive iron oxide and reducing agent. A set of rabbles disposed over each of the rotating hearths interacts with the iron oxide and pushes the iron oxide towards an inside or an outside edge of each rotating hearth. The first combustion chamber having an outlet connected to an inlet of the second combustion chamber to receive materials pushed by the rabbles of the first combustion chamber to the first combustion chamber outlet. The furnace further comprising one or more gas transfer channels for transferring reduction gasses and heat between the second and first combustion chambers.

Abstract: A rotary hearth furnace for treating metal oxide materials comprises a hearth mounted for rotary movement within an enclosure. One or more fuel burners are positioned above the hearth. The burners are operably fired to heat the furnace so that heat radiates toward the hearth. One or more oxygen nozzles are positioned between the hearth and the burners in a manner that avoids substantial contact between the oxygen and the briquettes, thereby creating a quiescent zone immediately above the briquettes, with the quiescent zone being sufficient to minimize reoxidation of the reduced briquettes, and minimize entrainment of particulate matter from the briquettes.

Abstract: A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.

Abstract: A feedstock-feeding step of feeding a feedstock containing a carbonaceous reductant and an iron oxide-containing material into a rotary hearth furnace, a heating/reducing step of heating the feedstock to reduce iron oxide contained in the feedstock into reduced iron, a melting step of melting the reduced iron, a cooling step of cooling the molten reduced iron, and a discharging step of discharging the cooled reduced iron are performed in that order in the direction that a hearth is moved. The furnace includes flow rate-controlling partitions, arranged therein, for controlling the flow of furnace gas and the furnace gas in the cooling step is allowed to flow in the direction of the movement of the hearth with the partitions.

Abstract: Provided is a method for producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming high-temperature reduced iron reduced in a reducing furnace, involving cooling the high-temperature reduced iron and controlling the temperature of the reduced iron to an appropriate hot-forming temperature of over 600° C. and 750° C. or less, producing hot briquette iron by hot-forming the high-temperature reduced iron at an appropriate hot-forming temperature with a briquetting machine.

Abstract: A reduction treatment apparatus can include a reduction furnace configured to reduce zinc and/or iron oxide through heat treatment of zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc oxide or iron oxide, with a reducing material. The reduction treatment apparatus also has an oxide inlet configured to supply to the reduction furnace the zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc oxide or iron oxide. The reduction treatment apparatus further has a reducing material inlet configured to supply to the reduction furnace the reducing material. The reducing material can comprise at least one of ASR, shredder dust of home electric appliances, waste plastics, refuse derived fuel, refuse paper and plastic fuel, sludge, oil mud, chips of wood, thread debris, rubber debris, and animal and plant residues. The reduction furnace can be configured to use the reducing material as a heating material and reduce the zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc oxide or iron oxide without auxiliary fuel.

Abstract: To provide a rotary hearth furnace which has a simple furnace structure in which the furnace is not damaged even if the furnace is operated for a long term while presenting general equations capable of adequately determining a thermal expansion margin in the rotary hearth furnace.

Abstract: Device and method for separating metals and metal oxides thereof, in particular in non-ferrous alloys, such as zinc. To this end, zinc residues (dross) is placed in a rotary drum and heated. After a certain treatment time, pure metal located in the bottom part of the drum is poured out. The invention proposes that the drum be held rotatably on a drive mechanism arranged in the cover of the furnace. This facilitates handling of the drum, more particularly when placing it on its drive mandrel. As a result, it is possible to use larger drums, resulting in a larger capacity and a more efficient process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for reducing metallic oxide or sulfide materials in a rotary kiln and a rotary kiln for reducing such materials. The materials are heated in a reducing atmosphere as they travel along the axial length of the rotary kiln. The materials are discharged from the kiln at a discharge point in the kiln away from its lower material outlet end, wherein the temperature within the kiln at said discharge point is greater than the temperature at the lower material outlet end.

Abstract: A reduction treatment apparatus can include a reduction furnace configured to reduce zinc and/or iron oxide thorough heat treatment of zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc oxide or iron oxide, with a reducing material. The reduction treatment apparatus also has an oxide inlet configured to supply to the reduction furnace the zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc oxide or iron oxide. The reduction treatment apparatus further has a reducing material inlet configured to supply to the reduction furnace the reducing material. The reducing material can comprise at least one of ASR, shredder dust of home electric appliances, waste plastics, PDF, RPF, sludge, oil mud, chips of wood, thread debris, rubber debris, and animal and plant residues. The reduction furnace can be configured to use the reducing material as a heating material and reduce the zinc-containing iron oxide or zinc-oxide or iron oxide without auxiliary fuel.

Abstract: A rotary hearth furnace for treating metal oxide materials comprises a hearth mounted for rotary movement within an enclosure. One or more fuel burners are positioned above the hearth. The burners are operably fired to heat the furnace so that heat radiates toward the hearth. One or more oxygen nozzles are positioned between the hearth and the burners in a manner that avoids substantial contact between the oxygen and the briquettes, thereby creating a quiescent zone immediately above the briquettes, with the quiescent zone being sufficient to minimize reoxidation of the reduced briquettes, and minimize entrainment of particulate matter from the briquettes.

Abstract: A hearth furnace 10 for producing metallic iron material has a furnace housing 11 with a drying/preheat zone 12 capable of providing a drying/preheat atmosphere for reducible material, a conversion zone 13 capable of providing a reducing atmosphere for reducible material, a fusion zone 14 capable of providing an atmosphere to at least partially reduced metallic iron material, and optionally a cooling zone 15 capable of providing a cooling atmosphere for reduced material containing metallic iron material. A hearth 20 is movable within the furnace housing 11 in a direction through the drying/preheat zone 12, then the conversion zone 13, then the fusion zone 14, and then the cooling zone 15.

Abstract: [PROBLEMS] It is an object to provide a reduced iron discharging screw conveyer of a rotary hearth furnace, which can reduce maintenance frequency of the screw conveyer and improve operation rates of the rotary hearth furnace by extending wear life of a screw blade of the screw conveyer. [SOLVING MEANS] A reduced iron discharging screw conveyer 5 which is provided in a rotary hearth furnace and discharges reduced iron out of the rotary hearth furnace, the rotary hearth furnace producing the reduced iron by charging and heating a pellet including metallic oxide and coal material onto a rotary hearth rotating in a horizontal plane, the reduced iron discharging screw conveyer has a rotary shaft and a screw blade which is spirally formed on an outer surface of the rotary shaft. A lead angle ? of the screw blade 5a satisfies a condition of “0.46 rad???0.79 rad”. A ratio (h/D) between height h of the screw blade and an outer diameter D of the screw conveyer is smaller than 0.

Abstract: A sealing structure for a solid-transferring screw installed inside a heating furnace such as a material-leveling screw and a product-discharging screw, the sealing structure enabling the solid-transferring screw to be lifted during operation while airtightness of the heating furnace is retained. A driving shaft of the solid-transferring screw passes through through-holes formed in side walls of the heating furnace and is supported by liftable supporting devices disposed outside the furnace. Sealing blocks are attached on outer edges of the through-holes to surround the periphery of the through-holes at the outside of the furnace. Sliding panels are disposed at outer sides of the sealing blocks and have sliding holes for sliding the screw-driving shaft so that the driving shaft extends through the sliding holes. The sliding panels are brought into contact with the sealing blocks via the sealing members therebetween so that the sliding panels are slidable in the vertical direction.

Abstract: Process and device for saltless, oxidation-free remelting of aluminum, its alloys and of aluminum scrap with miscellaneous impurities, such as combustible oily substances, adherent combustible or noncombustible materials and those with a higher specific weight in a rotating drum (1) with a combustion chamber (4), two supply valves (5, 6) and one burner nozzle (32), in the conventional manner the fuel being natural gas or heating oil, and the oxygen being supplied with air via the supply valve (6) to the combustion chamber (4), using an electronic control an amount of air being metered such that the amount of oxygen supplied with the air corresponds exactly to the stoichiometric ratio for complete combustion of the fuel supplied by the burner nozzle (32).

Abstract: The present invention provides a reducing furnace of the rotary hearth-type and a method for reducing a metal oxide simplified in the process from dehydration to molding, according to which a moisture-rich powdery raw material is reduced at low cost. The present invention also provides an operation method whereby dusts or sludge generated in the refining or processing of metal are economically recycled.

Abstract: In a rotary hearth furnace for producing reduced metal through heating and reducing carbon containing materials composed of at least metal oxide-containing material and carbon-containing reduction material, a hearth structure is provided by which a refractory in a hearth lateral end is not damaged and carbon containing materials do not fall down to a water sealing section of the rotary hearth furnace. The upper part of a hearth lateral end 1a is covered with the lower end 2a of a side wall 2 of a hood covering the whole hearth, and a cooling means 3 is installed in the side wall lower end 2a.

Abstract: Solid state iron oxide reduction in a gas-solid reduction zone is combined with continuous melting of the hot solid reduced iron in a fuel-fired gas-solid-liquid melting zone within a rotary furnace. The process includes direct pneumatic transfer of the hot reduced iron by carrier gases through a transfer duct incorporating an injection lance nozzle projecting a jet of hot reduced iron downwards into the metal bath within the melting zone. Oxygen is also introduced into the hot gas stream at selected locations in the melting zone for post-combustion with carbon monoxide generated by a carbon boil and combustion with other combustible gases prior to exit from the rotary furnace, thereby furnishing heat for melting. The hot gas stream is then utilized to provide a significant part of the heat requirement for reduction, prior to exhausting into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A rotary hearth furnace is provided to simplify detachment and assembly operations of a reduced iron discharging screw.

Abstract: A rotary hearth furnace is provided to simplify detachment and assembly operations of a reduced iron discharging screw.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for manufacturing molten metal at low cost and high productivity by melt-reducing a metal oxide and/or a metal hydroxide such as iron ore. To do this, at least the metal oxide and/or the metal hydroxide such as iron ore is preliminarily mixed, preliminarily mixed and granulated, or preliminarily mixed and molded with a carbonaceous material to prepare a mixture of raw materials. The mixture of raw materials is preliminarily reduced in a prereduction furnace of rotary hearth type, rotary kiln type, or the like to average metallization degree of the metal oxide and/or the metal hydroxide from 5 to 55%, which is then charged to a melting furnace for metal smelting, where the mixture of the raw materials is melted and finally reduced using the carbonaceous material as the reducing agent and using the combustion heat of the carbonaceous material and of carbon monoxide generated in the furnace as the major heat source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reducing furnace of the rotary hearth-type and a method for reducing a metal oxide simplified in the process from dehydration to molding, according to which a moisture-rich powdery raw material is reduced at low cost. The present invention also provides an operation method whereby dusts or sludge generated in the refining or processing of metal are economically recycled.

Abstract: Solid state iron oxide reduction in a gas-solid reduction zone is combined with continuous melting of the hot solid reduced iron in a fuel-fired gas-solid-liquid melting zone within a rotary furnace. The process includes direct pneumatic transfer of the hot reduced iron by carrier gases through a transfer duct incorporating an injection lance nozzle projecting a jet of hot reduced iron downwards into the metal bath within the melting zone. Oxygen is also introduced into the hot gas stream at selected locations in the melting zone for post-combustion with carbon monoxide generated by a carbon boil and combustion with other combustible gases prior to exit from the rotary furnace, thereby furnishing heat for melting. The hot gas stream is then utilized to provide a significant part of the heat requirement for reduction, prior to exhausting into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and process for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31). As the retort (31) is rotated, particles of the particulate material are constantly intermingled with each other and the walls of the retort (31). Microwave energy as shown in FIGS. 13-14 may be utilized to heat or dry materials within the retort (31).

Abstract: Process and apparatus for regenerating spent acid liquor includes a primary roasting furnace for evaporating a substantial portion of the liquid from the spent acid to produce acid vapors and partially roasted metal salts. The partially roasted metal salts are transferred to a secondary roasting chamber where the acids adhering to the surface of the metal salts is vaporized and the metal salts are oxidized. The acid vapors from the primary roasting furnace are then transferred to an absorption column to regenerate the acid. The primary roasting furnace is operated at a different temperature from the secondary roasting chamber and has different retention times for the metal salts. The secondary roasting chamber includes a raking device to mix and convey the metal salts during the secondary roasting step to produce a uniformly roasted metal oxide.

Abstract: Several methods and production facilities are provided in order to solve several problems encountered in conventional methods and facilities for producing reduced iron by reducing raw material pellets of a mixture of an iron oxide powder and a reducing material powder in a rotary bed-type reducing furnace and by melting the reduced iron in a sealed-type electro-blast furnace.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for treating particulate material within a rotating retort in which gas is injected within the retort to fluidize the particulate material within the rotating retort. An auger is mounted within an axle supporting the retort for rotation and particulate material is injected by the auger within the retort. Gas may be exhausted from the retort through an annular chamber about the auger or from a hollow shaft of the auger. Gas may also be exhausted through a permeable wall of the retort.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing iron briquettes and/or cold iron sponge, in which charge materials (3) which contain lumpy material containing iron oxide are introduced into the reduction zone (2) of a reduction reactor (1), then a hot reduction gas introduced in a feed zone below the reduction zone flows through the charge materials, which are reduced to hot iron sponge which passes through a gas feed zone (8), which is downstream of the reduction zone (2). Reduction gas is introduced into the reduction reactor (1). After the gas has flowed through the reduction zone (2), it is extracted from the reduction reactor (1) as a top gas. To produce cold iron sponge, hot iron sponge is cooled by cooling gas in a cooling zone (10) downstream of the gas feed zone (8) and the sponge is discharged from the reactor (1) through a product-discharge zone (11) downstream of the cooling zone (10).

Abstract: A discharge assembly for removing material from a hearth in a rotary hearth furnace including a discharge auger and a coolant spray. The discharge auger is positioned above the hearth of the rotary hearth furnace and includes a central shaft having at least one helical flight affixed to the exterior of the central shaft and the hood is disposed above the discharge auger. The coolant spray cools the discharge auger.

Abstract: An apparatus for retorting granulated material containing mercury such as ores and precipitates wherein the granulated material is stirred by means of a plurality of paddles while under vacuum and at high temperature within a drum of the apparatus. The vaporized mercury is drawn from the drum and condensed for recovery thereof. Multiple retorting apparatuses can be used for a continuous retorting operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of introducing one or more reagents into a rotary and/or elongate kiln in which titaniferous material is being treated eg upgraded wherein the reagent(s) is introduced (I) at a plurality of locations along the length of the kiln and/or (II) at or adjacent to a discharge end of the kiln. The reagents may comprise one or more of chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur, sulphur-containing compounds, magnesium compounds, manganese compounds, fluxes and glass-forming reagents, including a borate salt or mineral. The reagent may be mixed with the discharge end coal or introduced separately.

Abstract: A pyrometallurgical vessel suitable for continuous or semicontinuous smelting and/or conversion of molten base metal sulfide feed materials. The top blown, bottom stirred vessel includes oxidizing gas lances and feed pipes directing their respective contents directly or indirectly into bath eyes opened up in the molten bath by gas injected through porous plugs disposed at the base of the vessel. Low space velocities in the vessel result in reduced dusting.

Abstract: In a method of recycling iron and steel industry waste by processing the waste as an object substance by the use of a rotary kiln, the object substance is changed into a valuable material while the object substance travels within the rotary kiln from an upstream side to a downstream side. The object substance is heated on the upstream side of the rotary kiln within a reducing atmosphere to be reduced and molten into a reduced and molten product. The reduced and molten product is quickly sent to the downstream side without being adhered to an internal wall of the rotary kiln. The valuable material is extracted from the reduced and molten product which may be directly discharged out of the rotary kiln or which may be discharged after the reduced and molten product is once kept in a basin formed in the vicinity of the downstream side of the rotary kiln.

Abstract: A kiln system for a process for treatment of aluminum dross residue (NMP) having available aluminum nitride (AlN) and/or free aluminum (Al) and/or aluminum chlorides (AlCl.sub.3) having a particle size within the range of 0.3 to 300 microns, i.e., "fines" to produce a high alumina lightweight aggregate is described. The process is characterized in that the NMP is fed into a rotating sealed kiln and heated to a temperature in the range of 2000.degree. to 4000.degree. F. while feeding oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and water into the kiln with less than about 20% of the total heat energy input for heating the NMP to a temperature between 2000.degree. and 4000.degree. F. being supplied from an external source. The process does not require prior agglomerization of the fines.

Abstract: A method for fluidizing particulate material within a retort (22) mounted on a horizontal shaft or axle (36) for rotation. Gas enters retort (22) through a pipe (52) extending along the longitudinal axis of the shaft (36) and is exhausted through pipe manifold (58). As retort (22) is rotated, particles of particulate material (23) are constantly intermingled and in contact with each other and the walls (31) of the retort (22). An injector assembly (60) may be connected to a retort (51) for injection of an additional particulate material (56).

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for treating particulate material or powder (33) of a size capable of being fluidized in a retort (31) mounted for rotation on a pair of end axles (18, 41). Retort (31) is mounted on a tilt frame (5) for tilting movement in a vertical plane. Gas conduits (18A, 18B) are mounted within an axle (18) for the supply and exhaust of gas for retort (31). A conduit (55) mounted within the other axle (41) permits particulate material to be passed into or out of the retort (31) as shown in FIG. 1B. A removable injection assembly (90, FIG. 10) is utilized for the injection of additional particulate material. A removable sampling assembly (95, FIG. 11) is utilized for removing a sample of the particulate material from the retort (31).

Abstract: Apparatus for preheating self-reducing pellets for direct use in ironmaking or steelmaking in which a preheat chamber contains the pellets and is primarily externally heated using waste exhaust gases and secondarily heated directly by using an internal preheat burner. The preheat chamber gases are vented into the external heating chamber where any CO present is post-combusted to produce CO.sub.2 with the energy from the post-combustion used to contribute to external heating of the preheat chamber.

Abstract: An industrial waste management facility (IWMF) for disposing of spent potlining includes a co-current gas-fired rotary kiln for containing a molten pool of spent potlining throughout the entire length of the rotary kiln from the inlet to the outlet, an ash quencher and cooler for receiving molten residue from the discharge end of the rotary kiln, a secondary combustion chamber, and a down-draft transition chamber for channeling discharge gases from the rotary kiln to the secondary combustion chamber. Pneumatic injection slingers feed and distribute spent potlining into the inlet end of the rotary kiln. A discharge dam provides a predetermined average depth of molten bath material in the rotary kiln over its entire length. A blended ratio of comminuted materials injected through the pneumatic injection slinger feeder is adjusted and controlled in response to signals received from a radiative optical kiln bath temperature measurement system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal ring assembly for sealing a discharge end of a rotary retort heat treating furnace. The furnace contemplated by this invention has an outer furnace shell, a retort chamber, a rear plug, a cone casting, and a support ring. The cone casting is positioned at the discharge end of the retort chamber and the cone casting and the support ring are fixedly attached to rotate together with the retort chamber. The seal rings of the present invention are aluminum-bronze annular members fixedly attached to the discharge end of the rotary retort furnace. A gasket provides a simple static biasing arrangement to ensure contact between the face of the seal and the support ring. The seal is formed at a wear surface between the face of the aluminum-bronze seal and the support ring. The wear surface is lubricated by a plurality of graphite inserts.

Abstract: A method of reducing metal oxides in a vessel containing a molten bath, the bath comprising a metal layer and a slag layer, wherein metal oxides and carbonaceous material are introduced into the bath, gas is injected into the slag layer to case the eruption of molten slag parts, droplets and/or streams into the gas space above the bath and oxygen-containing gas is injected into the gas space to case post-combustion.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating iron ore, comprising an elongate and generally cylindrical inclined kiln mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. A drive motor is coupled to the kiln to rotate the latter about that axis. A moving grate is positioned at the upper end of the kiln to feed iron ore pellets into the kiln while the latter is rotating. Port-defining means are provided in the generally cylindrical wall of the kiln to enable gaseous material to be fed into the interior of the kiln at at least one position between the ends thereof. The port-defining means are of such a construction that they are open when they are underneath the iron ore in the kiln. Gaseous oxidizing material feed means are connected to the port-defining means to feed such oxidizing material thereto, whereby oxidizing gaseous material is passed through the iron ore in the kiln when the apparatus is in use so as to raise the temperature of the iron ore, by oxidation thereof, and cause the latter to be indurated.

Abstract: A process for treating titaniferous material by treating the titaniferous material and a particulant carbonaceous material in a kiln, recovering reduced titaniferous material and particulant char from the kiln and separating the particulant char, recycling the recovered separated char to the kiln in the region of the discharge port by blowing the char entrained in a fluid stream so that the blown char burns in the kiln largely as a flame in the region of the discharge port.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating particulate material containing a combustible contaminant. The particulate material is fed into the upstream end of a rotary drum and is conveyed toward the downstream end of the drum. A fixed first tubular member is disposed concentrically within the downstream end of the drum and includes a small diameter inlet section and a larger diameter outlet section. A fuel burner is located within the small diameter end of the first tubular member and combustion gases from the burner travel through the first tubular member to the larger diameter outlet section where the gases expand and are cooled. The gases are then discharged into the upstream end of the drum into contact with the particulate material to vaporize the combustible contaminants. A second tubular member is mounted in radially spaced relation between the first tubular member and the downstream end of the drum to provide inner and outer annular chambers.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, and launders connecting these furnaces in series. In the smelting furnace, copper concentrate is melted and oxidized to produce matte and slag. In the separating furnace, the matte is separated from the slag. In the converting furnace, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the converting furnace into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.