Abstract: Apparatus for the direct reduction of mineral iron comprising a vertical reduction furnace (10) of the type with a gravitational load to achieve therein reduction reactions of the mineral iron, means (11) to feed the mineral iron into the furnace (10) from above, means to raise the temperature of a reducing gas, mixing means suitable to obtain a mixture of the reducing gas with at least a hydrocarbon, means to inject the mixture of high temperature gas, and means to remove (15) the reduced mineral from the lower part of the furnace (10), the furnace (10) being provided with at least two zones (12, 14), arranged vertically distanced, in each of which a mixture of high temperature gas is suitable to be introduced so as to achieve the reduction reactions in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A direct reduction device (10) of the gravitational type to obtain iron carbide starting from iron oxide, comprising a reduction and carburation reactor (12) below which a cooling and passivation container (26) is arranged wherein the iron carbide is suitable to be cooled and passivated, between the reactor (12) and the container (26) a valve for solids (24) is interposed suitable to regulate the transfer of the iron carbide.

Abstract: Method for the direct reduction of mineral iron inside a vertical reduction furnace (10) of the type with a gravitational load, wherein the reducing gas flows in counter-flow with respect to the material introduced into the furnace, comprising the following steps: the mineral iron is fed from above into the furnace (10), a mixture of high temperature gas consisting of reducing gas based on H2 and CO is injected, and the reduced mineral is removed from the furnace (10). The mixture of gas is introduced into at least a zone (14) of the furnace (10) and consists of the process gas, which emerges from the same furnace, and of additional gas arriving from an outside reforming circuit.

Abstract: Method for the direct reduction of mineral iron inside a vertical reduction furnace (10) of the type with a gravitational load, wherein the reduction gas flows in counter-flow with respect to the material introduced into the furnace, comprising the following steps: the mineral iron is fed from above into the furnace (10), a mixture of high temperature gas consisting of reducing gas based on H2 and CO is injected, and the reduced mineral is removed from the furnace (10), the mixture of gas being introduced in at least two zones (12, 14) of the furnace (10) arranged one above the other so as to achieve, in a controlled manner, a first stage of pre-heating and pre-reduction in the upper part (12) of the furnace (10) and a second stage of final reduction in the lower part (14) of the furnace (10).

Abstract: Gravitational type furnace for the direct reduction of mineral iron comprising a median reaction zone (14) in which the reactions to reduce the mineral iron occur, means (11) to feed the mineral iron to said reaction zone (14), means (18) to introduce a mixture of reducing gas into said reaction zone (14) and means (15) to discharge the reduced metal iron, said discharge means comprising at least two extremities (15a-15c), shaped like a cone or a truncated cone, with the taper facing downwards, each of which being provided with a corresponding lower aperture (16a-16c) through which said reduced metal iron can be selectively discharged in a controlled and independent manner.