Abstract: A method of recovering iron-bearing flue dust collected as a by-product in wet sludge or dry form from metallurgical processes for recycling. The moisture content of the collected flue dust is adjusted to a level at which the wet dust is of a plastic consistency such that it will extrude into cohesive agglomerates (generally 8 - 16% moisture content). If the dust is collected in a dry state, moisture is added; if collected in a wet state, the moisture content is adjusted by the addition of a complimentary dry material. Hydraulic cement is added to the mixture in the range of approximately 4 - 15% by weight and the mixture is extruded into cohesive agglomerates and thereafter cured for subsequent charging to metallurgical furnaces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus of recovering by-product fines, such as coal fines, by-product fines created in the manufacture and processing of metals or any very finely divided substance which may be of value when recovered to a usable form and which may be naturally found in the form of a silt or as the result of the manufacturing process, from a slurry or sludge thereof. The slurry mass is first treated to dissociate it into discreet units, if required, for further treatment to recover the fines contained within the discreet units of the slurry in the form of a usable end product. The discreet units of the dissociated slurry are conveyed through a rotary-driven impeller feed conveyor and simultaneously a hot gas such as air or superheated steam is flowed through the conveyor in contact with the slurry segments or discreet units.