Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a plant for cooling gases and removing dust from them. In a first step after saturation with water vapour, the gas is brought to accelerate, additional water being simultaneously added to the dust particles in the gas, whereupon the gas flow thus loaded is brought to pass over the surface of the water in a first sedimentation container (1) so that the majority of the dust content is released to the sump in the sedimentation container (1). The gas flow is thereafter subjected to final cleaning and cooling in a second step, through direct contact with water, whereupon the water utilized in this manner, possibly via a second sedimentation container (2), is wholly or partially returned to the first step.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and means for cooling lump material in which the material in a vertical, gas-tight cooler (1) is subjected in a furst step to a transverse cooling flow (at 9) and in a second step to counter-flow cooling (at 20). Optimal cooling effect is obtained by a distribution of the cooling gas between transverse and counter-flow cooling in such a way that maximum temperature is obtained in the cooling gas leaving through the outlet (13).

Abstract: A method and a means for continuously producing a preformed metal product through direct reduction of a material containing ferric oxide in a shaft furnace and feeding the product manufactured in the shaft furnace via a gas lock into a hot preforming machine, the hot product obtained from the shaft furnace being kept at the temperature required for the subsequent hot preforming process, preferably at least about 550.degree. C., by means of hot, non-combustible gas consisting primarily of N.sub.2 and/or CO.sub.2 which has been heated by excess heat from the shaft furnace.