Abstract: A process for producing a low-sulfur content hot reducing gas stream comprising (a) contacting a sulfur bearing hot reducing gas stream with a desulfurizing agent comprising a desulfurizing fixed bed of solid particles comprising calcium oxide to thereby produce a low-sulfur content hot reducing gas stream and a calcium sulfide composition, then (b) contacting said calcium sulfide composition with an oxidizing gas composed of CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and O.sub.

Abstract: Passivation of sponge iron by a mild reoxidation thereof is effected by contact, at a temperature of 200.degree. to 600.degree. F, with a gaseous atmosphere consisting essentially of 25 to 80% H.sub.2, 15 to 70% CO and 0.5% to 4.0% O.sub.2 for a time in excess of about 1 hour. The passivation atmosphere may be produced by dilution of a free-oxygen-containing gas with conventional reducing gases. Therefore, the process is particularly amenable to the in-line passivation of hot reduced pellets i.e. wherein passivation may be effected directly within the lower portion of a shaft furnace.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing iron ore wherein spent reducing gas may be used as fuel in a reformer, and a portion of the reformer product is used as cooling gas in the bottom portion of the shaft furnace to lower the temperature of the reduced product in a controlled manner whereby the product is rendered more stable and thereby more suitable for storage and shipment.