Abstract: A process of producing iron from fine-grained iron ore by direct reduction, which includes adding oxygen, sponge iron and at least one of coal fines and low-temperature carbonized coal to an iron bath in a melt gasifier to produce a reducing gas, regulating the temperature of the reducing gas by blowing coal fines into it to produce a cooled reducing gas and a low-temperature carbonized coal, separating the low-temperature carbonized coal from the cooled reducing gas in order to use the separated low-temperature carbonized coal in the melt gasifier, preheating a fine-grained iron ore with a used reducing gas containing carbon monoxide to a temperature from 450.degree. to 700.degree. C., and reducing the preheated fine-grained iron ore with the cooled reducing gas at a temperature from 700.degree. to 1100.degree. C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the continuous melting of an iron-containing material in a melting device, the melting device being composed of a vertical shaft having a central axis, a melting furnace disposed below, and communicating with, the shaft, the melting furnace being asymmetrical to the central axis and being formed to have a region which is furthest removed from the central axis, at least one first nozzle opening into the furnace, located in the vicinity of the furnace bottom in the region furthest removed from the central axis, and at least two second nozzles opening into the furnace and located above the furnace bottom.

Abstract: Apparatus for supplying thermal energy to a metal melt present in a receiving vessel after having been discharged from a melting furnace, the receiving vessel having a central axis, the apparatus includes at least two plasma torches disposed above the melt in the receiving vessel to direct a transferred electric arc at the melt, the torches being operated with alternating current and with a gas which is inert to the melt, while being cooled with water.Apparatus according to the invention includes a cover over the top of the vessel, the cover having a passage for the electrodes, and a component establishing a gas-tight seal between the cover and the electrodes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for supplying thermal energy to a metal melt present in a receiving vessel after having been discharged from a melting furnace, the receiving vessel having a central axis, by disposing at least two plasma torches above the melt in the receiving vessel to direct a transferred electric arc at the melt; and operating the torches with alternating current and with a gas which is inert to the metal melt, while cooling the torches with water.Apparatus according to the invention includes a cover over the top of the vessel, the cover having a passage for the electrodes, and a component establishing a gas-tight seal between the cover and the electrodes.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing raw manganese nodules for the selective recovery of metal values of nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc contained therein by hydrometallurgical means. The raw nodules are suspended in water or dilute wash solution to form a suspension. The suspension and sulfuric acid are charged to a pressure vessel to provide a solid-liquid suspension of nodules and leach solution. The solid-liquid suspension of nodules and leach solution is heated in the pressure vessel to a temperature between about 150.degree. C and about 300.degree. C to cause the nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc to be selectively leached from the nodules into the leach solution to form a metal rich leach solution containing these metals and a residue, with the solid-liquid suspension having a sulfuric acid content of less than 35 g/l upon completion of the leaching. The metal rich leach solution containing nickel, copper, cobalt and zinc is separated from the residue.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing steel from iron oxide-containing raw materials. The raw materials are initially converted, in a reduction furnace by direct reduction with a reducing gas, to a substantially metallized sponge iron. The metallized sponge iron is then melted with the addition of additives and possibly fine scrap in a melting vessel filled with a metal melt. Heat and carbon monoxide-containing exhaust gases are formed in the melting vessel due to the reaction of oxygen-containing gases with carbonaceous material. The heat is utilized in part to melt the sponge iron and the exhaust gases are utilized for the direct reduction. The melt is then transferred to a further vessel where it is further processed into steel by means of suitable metallurgical measures. In the process, the entire, strongly-heated exhaust gas from the melting vessel is caused to react in a reactor with (1) carbonaceous material, and with (2) water vapor and/or carbon dioxide.