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: A direct reduction plant for reducing raw iron ore fines in fluidized beds in a virtually closed gas system comprises an ore feed assembly, a preheat assembly, a multi-stage reactor assembly, a compacting/inerting assembly, and a reducing gas assembly, Reducing gases utilized in the plant are produced from externally provided natural gas and recycled reducing gases from said reactor assembly.

Abstract: A fluidized bed direct steelmaking plant for reducing raw iron ore fines and directly producing an iron product in a virtually closed gas system comprises an ore feed assembly, a multi-stage reactor assembly with a compacting assembly, a gasifier/smelter assembly, and, a reducing gas assembly. Reducing gases utilized in the plant are produced from processed offgas from said smelter assembly and recycled reducing gases from said reactor assembly. The processed offgas is 100% utilizable as reducing gas by balancing the reduced iron ore between the gasifier/smelter and compacting assemblies. The iron product is refinable into steel with a standard available refining assembly, such as a ladle or basic oxygen furnace, for removal of impurities prior to casting.

Abstract: A fluidized bed direct process is discharged for reducing raw iron ore fines and directly producing a steel product. The disclosed process includes a process for feeding raw iron ore fines into a multi-stage reactor assembly; a process for reducing fines in fluidized beds developed by a counter-current flow of reducing gas, where the reducing gas is developed in a reformer assembly; and, a process for recycling offgas exiting said reactor assembly.

Abstract: An improved FIOR processing plant and method for reducing raw iron ore fines into a 90+% metallized briquette product utilizing a multi-stage fluidized bed reactor in which the reducing and fluidizing gases are the products of partial combustion of methane with oxygen, the gases being introduced into an intermediate zone of the reducing tower above the stage or stages where final metallization occurs. Said processing plant including an ore preparation and feed assembly, a multi-stage reactor assembly, a briquetting assembly, a recycle and fresh reducing gas assembly, and, a heat recuperation assembly.

Abstract: A fluidized bed direct process for reducing raw iron ore fines and directly producing an iron product comprises a process for feeding raw iron ore fines into a multi-stage reactor assembly; a process for reducing fines in fluidized beds developed by a counter-current flow of reducing gas, where the reducing gas is developed in a process for directly producing slag and iron in a gasifier/smelter assembly; a process for producing iron by further reducing and removing impurities from a part of the reduced iron ore in a gasifier/smelter assembly; a process for compacting excess reduced iron ore; and, a process for preparing reducing gas from offgas exiting said gasifier/smelter assembly; and, a process for recycling spent reducing gas exiting said reactor assembly. The processed offgas is 100% utilizable as reducing gas by balancing the reduced iron ore between the gasifier/smelter and compacting assemblies.

Abstract: An improved FIOR processing plant and method for reducing raw iron ore fines into a 90+% metallized briquette product utilizing a multi-stage fluidized bed reactor in which the reducing and fluidizing gases are the products of partial combustion of methane with oxygen, the gases being introduced into an intermediate zone of the reducing tower above the stage or stages where final metallization occurs. Said processing plant including an ore preparation and feed assembly, a mutli-stage reactor assembly, a briquetting assembly, a recycle and fresh reducing gas assembly, and, a heat recuperation assembly.