Abstract: Described are a method and a system for producing porous iron by means of a direct reduction process. In said method and system, a reducing gas is introduced into a DRI reduction device, and the direct reduction process is carried out therein. Coke oven gas and/or natural gas is/are reformed by adding gas, which contains steam and carbon dioxide and which is top gas from a DRI reduction device, and oxygen in a COG reformer so as to obtain reducing gas.

Abstract: A process for producing pig iron from iron ores involves the iron ores traveling from the top downwards through a reduction unit via a succession of oblique trays which are staggered in a cascade-like manner. A hot reduction gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen flows from the bottom of the reduction unit upwards. A reduction product is drawn off at the bottom end of the reduction unit and is fed to a unit for further treatment thereof. A reduction gas is generated in a gas generator by partial oxidation of carbon carriers or by cracking of natural gas or petroleum. Iron ores having at least a high proportion of dust-like and/or fine granular iron ores are sorted into fractions according to grain size and introduced into the reduction unit in such a way that the course fraction of the iron ore is introduced into the top section of the system and the fine fraction of the iron ore is introduced into the middle zone or into the middle and bottom zones of the system.