Abstract: A direct reduction process is disclosed for iron oxide-containing materials. Synthesis gas is mixed with top gas produced during direct reduction of the iron oxide-containing materials and is used as reduction gas for directly reducing and heating the iron oxide-containing materials up to reduction temperature. In order to set the H.sub.2 S content at a predetermined value by a relatively simple technique and with a relatively simple equipment, at least part of the sulphur contained in the iron oxide-containing materials as H.sub.2 S produced during heating or direct reduction is added to the reduction gas together with the top gas.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for charging fine-grained ore into a reactor pressure vessel through which process gas flows. The heated ore at first is introduced into a conveying pressure vessel, is pressurized within the same by compressed gas and subsequently is conveyed into the reactor pressure vessel through a conveying duct by aid of the compressed gas. In order to ensure favorable utilization of the reactor pressure vessel under uniform stress and to safeguard troublefree progression of reduction while directly charging the ore, a portion of the ore is introduced into at least one further conveying pressure vessel and is pressurized within the same also by compressed gas. Charging of the ore into the reactor pressure vessel is effected continuously by alternately feeding once from the one conveying pressure vessel and subsequently from the other conveying pressure vessel.

Abstract: In a process for the direct reduction of particulate iron-oxide-containing material by the fluidized bed method, reformed gas is mixed with top gas forming in the direct reduction of the iron-oxide-containing material and is fed to a fluidized-bed reduction zone as a reducing gas. To lower the energy demand and utilizing the potential of the reducing gas, both the top gas and the reformed gas are subjected to CO.sub.2 scrubbing and the reducing gas formed by mixing top gas with reformed gas is adjusted to an H.sub.2 content ranging between 45 and 75%, preferably between 50 and 65%, and to a CO content ranging between 10 and 20%.