Patents by Inventor Johann Wurm

Johann Wurm has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100313711
    Abstract: A method for the melting of pig iron in a blast furnace (1) operated with oxygen or in a melt-reduction plant, with a reduction region. Purified crude gas is discharged from the reduction region and is recirculated into the reduction region with the addition of hydrocarbons. The purified crude gas is mixed with hydrocarbons and is also blended with a reduction gas which has a temperature of above 1000° C. and which is generated by partial oxidation of hydrocarbons by means of oxygen gas having an oxygen content of above 90% by volume, in order to form a recirculation gas with a temperature of above 800° C. The recirculation gas is recirculated into the reduction region according to an auto-reforming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Millner, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20100133723
    Abstract: A method for producing moldings, in particular briquettes, from fine-grained to medium-grained mixed material using organic binders. In a first stage, the mixed material is heated to a temperature necessary for the molding operation. In a second, atmospherically separate stage, mixing of the mixed material with binder is performed, as well as downstream steps of the process. The method allows hazardous emissions to be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Wilhelm Fingerhut, Hado Heckmann, Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20100043599
    Abstract: In a method for the production of molten metal, oxygen, a reducing agent and iron reduced in a reduction reactor are introduced into a melt gasifier, the reducing agent is gasified with oxygen and reduced iron is melted by means of the heat which occurs, the cupola gas being used as at least a fraction of the reduction gas. Reacted top gas is drawn off from the reduction reactor. For increased efficiency in terms of energy and raw materials, there is in this case provision for at least part of the heat energy of the top gas and/or of the fraction of the reduction gas which is provided for use as cooling gas and as excess gas to be utilized for the indirect heating of at least one further gas used in the method. For this purpose, at least one heat exchanger in a line for top gas and/or the fraction of the reduction gas which is provided for use as cooling gas and as excess gas is provided, at least one further gas used in the method flowing through said heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Franz Hauzenberger, Robert Millner, Norbert Rein, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Martin Schmidt, Bogdan Vuletic, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20100024599
    Abstract: A method for producing molten material, wherein oxygen, reducing agents and iron that has been reduced in a reduction reactor are introduced into a melter gasifier. The reducing agent is gasified with the oxygen and the heat thereby produced melts the reduced iron. Cupola gas from the melter gasifier is used at least as a portion of the reduction gas, and reacted top gas is withdrawn from the reduction reactor. The aim of the invention is to increase energy efficiency and raw material efficiency as well as productivity while at the same time obtaining metallurgically improved properties of the product. For this purpose, at least a portion of the top gas is branched off from the line for the withdrawal of the top gas from the reduction reactor and is returned via at least one return line leading to the melter gasifier and is introduced into the melter gasifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Franz Hauzenberger, Robert Millner, Norbert Rein, Johannes Leopold Schenk, Martin Schmidt, Bogdan Vuletic, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 7513729
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Franz Berner
  • Patent number: 7470310
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing a fixed bed in a metallurgical unit, preferably for producing pig iron or primary steel products from iron-containing charge materials, in particular in a melted gasifier, in which a lumpy bulk material, which contains ore-containing and carbon-containing constituents, prereduced iron ore, preferably sponge iron, and preferably lumpy, coal, is charged onto a surface. Through mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place. The entire ore-containing constituent is charged onto an active circumferential or peripheral region of the fixed bed, at which the thorough, preferably uniform mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place preferably outward of the center. A device scatters the stream of bulk material aver the surface and less of the material is scattered at the center, so that heavier grain lumps segregate themselves toward the center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Rainer Walter Kastner, Reinhard Pum, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm, Hado Heckmann
  • Patent number: 7341080
    Abstract: A method for loading a pourable material in a container, the material being supplied by gravity forces through a channel which is arranged in the opening of the container. In order to obtain a desired material distribution in the container, the material, a little bit before the passage thereof through the opening, i.e. inside the channel, is exposed to forces modifying the displacement direction of the material given by the channel and the gravity forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Mohamed Tarek El-Rayes, Reinhard Pum, Reinhard Redl, Johann Wurm, Rainer-Walter Kastner
  • Publication number: 20080047397
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an associated apparatus for producing metals and/or primary metal products, in particular pig iron and/or primary pig iron products, in which a metal-containing charge material, in particular in fine particle form, is introduced, using pneumatic conveying, by means of a carrier gas stream, in the form of a stream of medium formed from the charge material and the carrier gas stream, into a melting unit, in particular a melter gasifier, for further processing. According to the invention, the charge material is introduced after the carrier gas stream has been separated off and separately at at least two introduction points, so that at least two partial quantities of the charge material can be introduced independently of one another and continuously or in stacked form.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Schmidt, Johannes Schenk, Franz Hauzenberger, Josef Stockinger, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20080008563
    Abstract: To distribute charging material evenly in an enclosure such as a furnace or reactor to ensure its best operation, a charging material distribution inside the enclosure 30 of the furnace is used. It has a movable charging device 4 in the form of a spout through which the charging material is fed into the enclosure. The distribution device is small in size and light in weight. It has a moveable charging device 4 in the form of a spout which is suspended on a gimbal suspension 2 on a fixed charging device, which is in the form of a chute 3 inside the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Inventors: Jeremy Fletcher, Brian Kibble, Harald Sprenger, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20070012379
    Abstract: A method for loading a pourable material in a container, the material being supplied by gravity forces through a channel which is arranged in the opening of the container. In order to obtain a desired material distribution in the container, the material, a little bit before the passage thereof through the opening, i.e. inside the channel, is exposed to forces modifying the displacement direction of the material given by the channel and the gravity forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Mohamed El-Rayes, Reinhard Pum, Reinhard Redl, Johann Wurm, Rainer-Walter Kastner
  • Publication number: 20060182555
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Inventors: Leopold Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Franz Berner
  • Patent number: 7059818
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Franz Berner
  • Patent number: 6858061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a blast furnace, CO2 being substantially removed from at least a partial stream of a top gas emerging from a reduction shaft furnace (1), and this partial stream if appropriate being heated and being introduced into the blast furnace as reduction gas, and to a plant for carrying out this process, the top gas being introduced into the lower region of the blast-furnace shaft. This measure results in an improved energy balance and improved process management compared to the prior art.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Herbert Mizelli, Johann Wurm
  • Publication number: 20040216560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a blast furnace, CO2 being substantially removed from at least a partial stream of a top gas emerging from a reduction shaft furnace (1), and this partial stream if appropriate being heated and being introduced into the blast furnace as reduction gas, and to a plant for carrying out this process, the top gas being introduced into the lower region of the blast-furnace shaft. This measure results in an improved energy balance and improved process management compared to the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Herbert Mizelli, Johann Wurm
  • Patent number: 6802887
    Abstract: A method is for feeding a gas into a metallurgical vessel having a condensable and/or evaporable component entrained by the gas. The gas is fed to the metallurgical vessel via one or more gas supply means. According to the method, if there are a number of the gas supply means, in a first section, the gas velocity is continuously increased, in a turbulence zone, the gas is intimately mixed with the condensable and/or evaporable component, in an exit section, the gas velocity is kept substantially constant, and the gas which has been intimately mixed with the entrained component is blown into the metallurgical vessel. A gas supply device for carrying out the method is also disclosed. The method and apparatus according t the invention make it possible to prevent or reduce nozzle damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm, Mohamed Tarek El-Rayes
  • Publication number: 20040099094
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for producing a fixed bed in a metallurgical unit, preferably for producing pig iron or primary steel products from iron-containing charge materials, in particular in a melted gasifier, in which a lumpy bulk material, which contains ore-containing and carbon-containing constituents, prereduced iron ore, preferably sponge iron, and preferably lumpy, coal, is charged onto a surface. Through mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place. The entire ore-containing constituent is charged onto an active circumferential or peripheral region of the fixed bed, at which the thorough, preferably uniform mixing of the ore-containing constituent with the carbon-containing constituent of the bulk material takes place preferably outward of the center. A device scatters the stream of bulk material aver the surface and less of the material is scattered at the center, so that heavier grain lumps segregate themselves toward the center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Rainer Walter Kastner, Reinhard Pum, Kurt Wieder, Johann Wurm, Hado Heckmann
  • Publication number: 20040022621
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for distributing a lumpy bulk material, in particular iron ore which has been at least partially prereduced, onto an extensive surface, in particular onto a fixed bed, this surface extending within a reactor or vessel used in physical or chemical process technology, in particular in a reactor used in a metallurgical plant to produce pig iron or primary steel products, and the lumpy bulk material being charged via at least one charging apparatus, which has at least two, in particular rotationally symmetrical, chutes, which are preferably arranged at the same distance from the vertical longitudinal axis of the reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Franz Berner
  • Patent number: 6669754
    Abstract: A description is given of a method of optimizing the design and operation of a reduction process for iron-containing charge materials (3), preferably in lump form, in a reduction shaft (1) to which reduction gas (9) is fed, for example from a fusion gasifier (6), with a reduced product (13), for example iron sponge, being taken from the reduction shaft (1) for the production of liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products, in which method the reduction process is described by means of a mathematical-physical-chemical process model, the reduction shaft (1) is modelled multi-dimensionally, in particular three-dimensionally, and the process model is numerically evaluated and the results of the evaluation, obtained as multi-dimensional, in particular spatial, distributions of physical or chemical variables, are taken into account for the reduction process. This allows the reduction process to be quantitatively assessed in the entire reduction shaft and, as a result, the reduction process can be optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Zeisel, Georg Aichinger, Johann Wurm, Hermann Druckenthaner, Heinz Engl, Andrea Schatz, Gerald Gökler
  • Patent number: 6562102
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing liquid pig iron or primary steel products from iron-containing material in lump form in a fusion gasifier (1), in which, with lump coal and oxygen-containing gas being fed in, and with simultaneous formation of a reduction gas, the iron-containing material is fused, lump coal being fed to the fusion gasifier (1) from above and, together with the iron-containing material, forming a fixed bed (6) in the fusion gasifier (1) and thereby giving off its fraction of volatile hydrocarbons into the dome space (11) located above the fixed bed (6), and pulverized-fuel burners (15) being directed obliquely from above towards the surface of the fixed bed (6). The operation of the pulverized-fuel burners (15) is in this case controlled in such a way that the combustion of the carbon fraction of the carbon carriers in fine particle form takes place in a proportion of at least 40% to form CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Kurt Wieder, Herbert Mizelli, Josef Stockinger, Johann Wurm, Parviz Zahedi
  • Patent number: 6379420
    Abstract: In a method for producing a hot CO- and H2-containing reducing gas serving for the reduction of fine-grained metal ore, in particular iron ore, the reducing gas is formed in a gasification zone by a gasification of carbon carriers, in particular coal, taking place under the supply of oxygen and subsequently is cooled down to a reducing-gas temperature favorable to the reduction process. In order to produce a thermodynamically more stable reducing gas, the reducing gas by the addition of H2O and/or CO2—in order to prevent the Boudouard and heterogeneous water-gas reaction and a resultant heating of the reducing gas—is converted to a reducing gas that is thermodynamically more stable at the reducing-gas temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignees: Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Incorporated Foundation
    Inventors: Leopold Werner Kepplinger, Johann Wurm, Herbert Mizelli, Walter Rainer Kastner, Günther Brunnbauer