Abstract: A method for direct reduction of oxides includes the steps of: providing a reduction zone for direct reduction of oxides and a gas reforming zone communicating with the reduction zone; feeding metal oxides to the reduction zone; feeding a gas mixture comprising methane and an oxygen source to the gas performing zone to provide a reformed gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide; contacting the oxides and the reformed gas in the reduction zone to provide a reduced metal and a top gas; and treating the top gas so as to provide the gas mixture.

Abstract: A shaft furnace for reduction of oxides includes a shaft member having an oxide inlet and defining a pre-heating and pre-reducing zone downstream of the oxide inlet, a reducing zone downstream of the pre-heating and pre-reducing zone a transition zone downstream of the reducing zone, and a discharge zone downstream of the transition zone; and a gas reforming zone associated with the shaft member for reforming a methane-containing gas into a reformed gas and for introducing the reformed gas into the reducing zone whereby oxides in the reducing zone are reduced by the reformed gas.