Abstract: A process for producing molten pig iron uses direct reduction of iron ore in a pre-reduction stage followed by a final reduction stage. In the pre-reduction stage iron ore is pre-reduced in a melting cyclone by means of a reducing process gas originating from the final reduction stage. A post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the melting cyclone so that said iron ore in said melting cyclone is at least partly melted. The partly melted iron ore passes downwardly into a metallurgical vessel situated beneath the cyclone in which the final reduction takes place by supply of coal and oxygen, thereby forming a reducing process gas. A partial post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the metallurgical vessel by means of said oxygen supplied thereto. The post-combustion ratio of the gas on exiting the metallurgical vessel is not more than 0.55.

Abstract: A process for producing molten pig iron uses direct reduction of iron ore in a pre-reduction stage followed by a final reduction stage.In the pre-reduction stage iron ore is pre-reduced in a melting cyclone by means of a reducing process gas originating from the final reduction stage. A post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the melting cyclone so that said iron ore in said melting cyclone is at least partly melted. The partly melted iron ore passes downwardly into a metallurgical vessel situated beneath the cyclone in which the final reduction takes place by supply of coal and oxygen, thereby forming a reducing process gas. A partial post-combustion occurs in the reducing process gas in the metallurgical vessel by means of said oxygen supplied thereto. The post-combustion ratio of the gas on exiting the metallurgical vessel is not more than 0.55.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing molten pig iron by direct reduction of iron ore, comprises(i) a metallurgical vessel, in which with supply of coal and oxygen the iron ore undergoes a final reduction with production of a process gas and said process gas undergoes a partial post-combustion, and(ii) a melting cyclone in which the iron ore undergoes a pre-reduction and is melted. To improve the control of the thermal flows and to reduce maintenance, the vessel has(a) a top part, in which the partial post-combustion of said process gas takes place, in the form of a pressure-resistant hood having an interior wall comprising cooling water pipes, and(b) a bottom part for accommodating an iron bath having a slag layer in which said final reduction of said iron ore takes place, the bottom part having an internal refractory lining and means for water cooling the internal refractory lining.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of iron from iron compounds is provided. There is a first stage of pre-reducing the iron compounds in a first chamber having a rotationally symmetrical wall, and a second stage of further reducing the iron compounds in a second chamber below the first chamber, fuel and oxygen being supplied to the second chamber. A reducing gas passes upwardly into the first chamber to effect the pre-reduction therein. Oxygen is fed to the first chamber. The iron compounds in the first chamber at least partly melt and then flow downwardly along the wall towards said second chamber. The iron compounds are introduced into the first chamber in particle form and by means of a carrier gas which provides one or more jets. The oxygen is fed into the first chamber at least partly in the form of one or more jets having tangential components.

Abstract: A method making pig iron employs an in-bath direct reduction performed in a metallurgical vessel which has above it a melting cyclone in which iron-oxide-containing material fed thereinto is pre-reduced by hot reducing gas coming from the vessel. Molten material passes downwardly from the melting cyclone into the vessel. In order to recover zinc from a dust containing zinc and/or zinc oxide, the dust is fed into the melting cyclone. Zinc is allowed to vaporize out of the dust into the hot gas in the melting cyclone. The hot gas containing zinc is discharged from the melting cyclone, and zinc-containing material is extracted from this hot gas.