Abstract: A reactor for introducing gas into a fluid comprises a mixing tank (12, 43) for the fluid and a partition means (13,45) for dividing the tank into at least two chambers (21, 89) and (23, 91). The reactor further comprises a first pump means (14, 47) located in one of the chambers for circulating the fluid downwards in one chamber and then upward in the other chamber and an aerator assembly (29, 49) for aerating a sidestream of the fluid and introducing the aerated fluid into the tank for mixing the aerated fluid with the circulating fluid in the tank. The aerator assembly comprises a bank of venturi aerators (38, 57) each having an aerator inlet; an aerator outlet; and a constriction intermediate the aerator inlet and the aerator outlet for creating a region of reduced pressure in the fluid, the constriction being elongate in a section transverse to the direction of flow of the fluid through the constriction; and a means for introducing the gas into the constriction to aerate the fluid.

Abstract: A process and a smelt reduction vessel (1) for producing metals and metal alloys, in particular iron and iron alloys, from metal oxides and ores in a smelt reduction vessel. The process and the vessel are characterized in that loss of liquid and solids with waste gases (11) from the vessel are minimized by causing the waste gases, oxidizing gases (5) and entrained liquid and solids in the space in the vessel that is above the molten metal to rotate about a vertical axis of the vessel thereby forcing liquid and solids outwardly toward the wall of the vessel. This rotational motion may be caused by injecting some or all of the oxidizing gases through tuyeres (4) positioned above the bath surface obliquely to a vertical plane through a vertical axis of the vessel. The vessel may have a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape at least in the space above the molten metal (2A).

Abstract: A method of destroying organic waste in a bath of molten metal and slag contained in a vessel (3) is disclosed. The method comprises injecting organic waste into the bath to form a primary reaction zone (13) in which the organic waste is thermally cracked and the products of the thermal cracking which are not absorbed into the bath are released into the space above the surface of the bath. The method further comprises injecting an oxygen-containing gas toward the surface of the bath to form a secondary reaction zone (17) in the space above the surface of the bath in which the oxidizable materials in the products from the primary reaction zone (13) are completely oxidized and the heat released by such oxidation is transferred to the bath.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for heating solid particulate materials. The process comprises entraining the solid particulate materials in a gas to form a stream of gas containing entrained particles and containing this stream with a stream of hot gases. The contact between the two streams is performed in such a manner that at least a portion of the solid particulate material is heated rapidly and the heated and unheated particles enter flow patterns in which contact between the particles and with interior surfaces of contact chamber is minimized. A heating and treatment chamber for applying the process to the treatment of solid particulate materials is disclosed. The specification also discloses a molten bath reactor combined with the chamber for heating and treating solid particulate materials.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for producing a ferroalloy in a smelting vessel. A material containing an alloying metal is injected into a molten bath contained in the vessel. A flux, a carbonaceous material and an oxygen-containing gas are also injected into the vessel. A gas which may be the oxygen-containing gas is injected into the molten bath in order to stir it. The rates of injection of the various components are controlled to achieve control of the oxidizing and reducing environment within the vessel consistent with a rapid rate of injection. The material containing the alloying metal is either reduced and incorporated into the metal phase or oxidized and incorporated into the slag. Combustion gases above the molten bath are oxidized to provide further heat to the process. Alloyed metal or slag containing the alloying metal are recovered as product. The process is applicable to the production of ferroalloys such as ferrochromium, ferromanganese, ferronickel and ferrovanadium.

Abstract: The specification discloses a process for pre-heating and pre-reducing metal oxide ores. The process comprises introducing particles of an oxide ore entrained in a gas through a port into a treatment chamber. Inside the treatment chamber teh stream of entrained particles combines with a stream of high temperature reducing gas in such a way that the particles are heated rapidly and enter into flow patterns whereby contact with other particles and the internal surface of the treatment chamber is minimized. The stream of entrained particles and the stream of high temperature reducing gas are substantially co-current. A treatment chamber elongated in the direction of co-current flow is described in the specification. The hot off-gases may be derived from a molten bath reactor and comprise a high concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.