Abstract: So as to provide a container that is inexpensive to manufacture and that promotes a uniform flow of particulate bulk materials therethrough, a vessel is suggested comprising at least two wall segments having a generally downwardly converging wall defining a vertical axis for the vessel, a first upper segment being vertically arranged above a second lower segment, each one of the wall segments having an upper edge and a lower edge, the perimeter of the upper edge of the second lower wall segment being larger than the perimeter of the lower edge of the first upper wall segment the lower edge of the first upper wall segment and the upper edge of the second lower wall segment being positioned proximate to each other and cooperating to provide an enlargement of the cross-sectional area of the volume occupied by the particulate solid material.

Abstract: So as to provide a container that is inexpensive to manufacture and that promotes a uniform flow of particulate bulk materials therethrough, a vessel (10) is suggested comprising at least two wall segments (12, 14) having a generally downwardly converging wall defining a vertical axis for said vessel, a first upper segment (12) being vertically arranged above a second lower segment (14), each one of said wall segments having an upper edge and a lower edge, the perimeter of the upper edge of said second lower wall segment (14) being larger than the perimeter of the lower edge of said first upper wall segment (12); said lower edge of said first upper wall segment (12) and said upper edge of said second lower wall segment (14) being positioned proximate to each other and cooperating to provide an enlargement (34) of the cross-sectional area of the volume occupied by said particulate solid material; and the lower edge of said first upper segment (12) defining a plane forming an angle with respect to the vertical

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the production of prereduced iron ore, DRI, sponge iron or the like by the gaseous reduction of iron-oxide containing particles in a reduction system which comprises a preheating device for the iron ore particles. The preheating device preserves the strength of the iron ore particles through the reduction system by preheating the particles with non-reducing (or preferably oxidizing) gas, whereby the DRI or like material produced is stronger than if it were processed in a reduction reactor without said preheating device. The invention thereby avoids sticking and fines production problems which some iron ores cause in the reduction reactor. The preheating device also produces other advantages in the reduction system as, for example, that the reducing gas reaches a higher degree of oxidation in the reduction reactor whereby the productivity of the reduction system increases as a result of the decreased amount of reducing gas as well as the decreased residence time required.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of prereduced iron ore, Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), or the like, in an ironmaking plant wherein the reducing gas utilized in the chemical reduction of iron oxides is generated from natural gas within the reduction reactor system by reforming the hydrocarbons with such oxidants as water and oxygen inside the reduction reactor which under steady state conditions contains metallic iron which acts as a reformation catalyst. The amount of carbon in the DRI can be reliably controlled by modifying the relative amounts of water, carbon dioxide and oxygen in the composition of the reducing gas fed to the reduction reactor. The amount of carbon in the DRI is controlled by the amount of water in the reducing gas fed to the reduction reactor while the addition of oxygen provides the energy necessary for such DRI carburization.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the production of prereduced iron ore, Direct Reduced Iron (DRI), or the like, in an ironmaking plant wherein the reducing gas utilized in the chemical reduction of iron oxides is generated from natural gas within the reduction reactor system by reforming the hydrocarbons with such oxidants as water and oxygen inside the reduction reactor which under steady state conditions contains metallic iron which acts as a reformation catalyst. The amount of carbon in the DRI can be reliably controlled by modifyng the relative amounts of water, carbon dioxide and oxygen in the composition of the reducing gas fed to the reduction reactor. The amount of carbon in the DRI is controlled by the amount of water in the reducing gas fed to the reduction reactor while the addition of oxygen provides the energy necessary for such DRI carburization.