Abstract: A method for recovery of evaporable substances comprises melting (210) of a material comprising evaporable metals and/or evaporable metal compounds into a molten slag. The molten slag is agitated (212) by a submerged jet of hot gas. The hot gas is controlled (214) to have an enthalpy of at least 200 MJ/kmol, and preferably at least 300 MJ/kmol. At least a part of the evaporable metals and/or evaporable metal compounds are fumed off (216) from the molten slag. An arrangement for the method is based on a furnace with a plasma torch submerged into molten slag in the furnace.

Abstract: Iron production furnace equipment includes a melting reactor into which iron oxide-containing raw material and slag formers are added. A melter arrangement melts the iron oxide-containing raw material and transforms the melted raw material into liquid slag. A smelting reduction reactor is connected to the melting reactor by a slag transfer arrangement. The smelting reduction reactor includes a heater arrangement for heating the slag, a port for supplying a reductant for reducing the iron oxide in the slag into a liquid iron melt and produces a combustible gas mixture including at least one of CO and H2. A gas connection is provided between the smelting reduction reactor and the melter arrangement. The melter arrangement in turn comprises a combuster combusting the gas mixture for purpose of melting the raw material.

Abstract: A method for recovery of evaporable substances comprises melting (210) of a material comprising evaporable metals and/or evaporable metal compounds into a molten slag. The molten slag is agitated (212) by a submerged jet of hot gas. The hot gas is controlled (214) to have an enthalpy of at least 200 MJ/kmol, and preferably at least 300 MJ/kmol. At least a part of the evaporable metals and/or evaporable metal compounds are fumed off (216) from the molten slag. An arrangement for the method is based on a furnace with a plasma torch submerged into molten slag in the furnace.

Abstract: An iron production furnace equipment (1) has a melting reactor (2) into which iron oxide-containing raw material (4) and slag formers (5) are added. A melter arrangement (22) melts the iron oxide-containing raw material and transforms the melted raw material into liquid slag (6) A smelting reduction reactor (3) is connected to the melting reactor by a slag transfer arrangement (10). The smelting reduction reactor comprises a heater arrangement (30) for heating the slag. Means (32) for supplying a reductant (7) for reducing the iron oxide in the slag into a liquid iron melt (8) and for producing a combustible gas mixture (11) comprising at least one of CO and H2. A gas connection (12) is connected between the smelting reduction reactor and the melter arrangement. The melter arrangement in turn comprises a combuster (28) combusting the gas mixture. The combustion heat is used for purpose of melting.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of:—subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and—extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorizing Zn and Pb; characterized in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ Mg ? O ] 3 > 3.5 ; ? ? 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of: subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorising Zn and Pb; characterised in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ Mg ? O ] 3 > 3.5 ; ? ? 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of: —subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and —extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorising Zn and Pb; characterised in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ MgO ] 3 > 3.5 ; 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the separation and recovery of non-ferrous metals from zinc-bearing residues, in particular from residues produced by the zinc manufacturing industry. The process comprises the steps of: -subjecting the residue to a flash or agitated bath fuming step, thereby producing an Fe bearing slag and Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes; and -extracting the Zn- and Pb-bearing fumes and valorising Zn and Pb; characterised in that CaO, SiO2 and MgO are added as a flux before or during the fuming step so as to obtain a final slag composition with: formula (I) all concentrations being expressed in wt %. The invention also relates to a single-chamber reactor for Zn-fuming equipped with one or more submerged plasma torches as heat and gas sources. [ Fe ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] + [ MgO ] 3 > 3.5 ; 0.1 < [ CaO ] [ SiO 2 ] < 1.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of Co or Ni, comprising the steps of: preparing a metallurgical charge comprising Fe, slag formers, and a useful load containing either one or both of Co and Ni; feeding the charge to a shaft furnace; and smelting the charge so as to form a Co or Ni-bearing alloy, an Fe-bearing slag and a gaseous phase, characterised in that the useful load comprises at least 30 wt. % electrochemical batteries or their scrap, and in that the redox potential in the furnace is chosen so as to slag at least 20 wt. % of the Fe, and at most 20 wt. % of the Co or 20 wt. % of the Ni present in the charge.

Abstract: Process for the recovery of Co or Ni, comprising the steps of: preparing a metallurgical charge comprising Fe, slag formers, and a useful load containing either one or both of Co and Ni; feeding the charge to a shaft furnace; and smelting the charge so as to form a Co or Ni-bearing alloy, an Fe-bearing slag and a gaseous phase, characterised in that the useful load comprises at least 30 wt. % electrochemical batteries or their scrap, and in that the redox potential in the furnace is chosen so as to slag at least 20 wt. % of the Fe, and at most 20 wt. % of the Co or 20 wt. % of the Ni present in the charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treatment of the fly ash are described wherein heavy metals are separated and wherein there is formed a leaching resistant slag; the fly ash is introduced into a reactor into an oxidizing gas stream which is heated to at least 2500 degrees C. in a plasma generator; the fly ash melts and forms liquid drops of slag and a carbonaceous or hydrocarbonaceous material is added to the gas stream which burns and supplies extra energy to the process; the ratio of oxygen and carbon is regulated so that the ratio CO.sub.2 /CO+CO.sub.2 is kept within the limits 0.4-0.

Abstract: A method for melting iron and steel scrap wherein scrap is fed through a shaft furnace countercurrent to a reducing gas. The reducing gas is formed by passing air through a plasma generator and injecting coal and/or hydrocarbon into the hot air so that the ratio (CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O)/(CO.sub.2 +H.sub.2 O+CO+H.sub.2) of the resulting gas becomes less than 0.2. The energy needed for melting is supplied as sensible heat of the reducing gas. The energy for preheating the scrap is supplied by introducing oxygen containing gas into the preheating zone at a plurality of positions along the flow path of the reducing gas to provide stepwise combustion of the reducing gas. The introduction of the oxygen containing gas at said plurality of positions is balanced to keep the gas reducing to the metal scrap at scrap temperatures above 1000.degree. C., and preferably even above 800.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a gas suitable for the production of energy, out of coal. The coal is gasified in counterflow with air-blast in a gasifier, and the gas generated is then mixed with a gas containing oxygen, in a ratio such that the quotient CO.sub.2 /CO in the resultant gas does not exceed 0.1, in order to crack tar substances occurring in the gas. The gas is thereafter introduced into a dolomite or lime shaft for removal of sulphur compounds, any remaining tar substances and to gasify any accompanying coal particles not yet gasified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of recovering chemicals from spent liquors while at the same time utilizing energy liberated during the process. The spent liquors are gasified and partially disintegrated in a reactor (1), external thermal energy independent of combustion being simultaneously supplied to the reaction zone (2) of the reactor, after which the resultant melt is separated (at 9) at substantially the temperature prevailing at combustion, the gaseous product thereby formed being quenched in a quenching and cooling zone (6), to a temperature below 950.degree. C. A product gas is thus obtained which contains substantially no sulphur impurities, an alkali product with high sulphide content and an alkali product substantially free from sulphide and having low Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 content.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of destroying waste to form a leach-proof slag and a gas containing only H.sub.2 and CO as combustible constituents. The method comprises the steps of: (a) supplying waste material at the top of a shaft furnace while simultaneously supplying energy in the form of hot oxidizing gas at the bottom of the shaft furnace, (b) discharging liquid slag from the bottom of the furnace shaft and withdrawing the gas generated, at the top of the furnace shaft, and (c) supplying the gas generated, to a subsequent reaction chamber while simultaneously supplying energy in the form of a hot gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and means of increasing capacity and improving the chemical recovery process when using a conventional soda recovery boiler for recovering chemicals out of spent sulphate liquors. The spent sulphate liquor is supplied in full or in part to a liquor gasifier (8) while external energy independent of combustion is simultaneously supplied (at 16, 17). The temperature and oxygen potential are carefully controlled independently of each other by means of controlled supply of the energy. The product thus obtained is thereafter introduced in full or in part into a soda recovery boiler (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to the recovery of chemicals from waste liquor from wood pulp process, primarily black liquor, while utilizing energy liberated. Controlled total vaporization of the pulp waste liquor at high temperature and low oxygen potential is achieved by the external supply of energy. During the subsequent condensation and separation of melt or water solution is obtained which, without causticizing, can be used for the preparation of white liquor, and also an energy rich gas and mainly free from sulphur, consisting primarily of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and means for condensing zinc vapor out of a gas. A substantially coherent curtain (25) of cooling metal is generated, towards which the gas containing zinc vapor is directed. The resultant mixture is expanded in an expansion zone (21a) and thereafter accelerated in a compression zone (21b), thus ensuring that all parts of the gas are brought into contact with the cooling metal. Particles and drops are then separated by passing the gas over the surface of a bath of cooling metal (28).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for heating up a first gas-flow with a second gas-flow. The first gas-flow is caused to flow along a wall in a cylindrical chamber as a rotating gas-flow and the second gas-flow is caused to flow centrally in the chamber, surrounded by the first gas-flow, so that the wall is protected.The apparatus comprises a chamber having an inlet section designed as a whirlpool chamber and an elongate cylindrical mixing part non-radial inlets for the first gas-flow, having their orifices in the wall of the whirlpool chamber and having an inlet for the second gas-flow, arranged substantially centrally in the end of the whirlpool chamber facing away from the mixing part, as well as an outlet section arranged in the mixing chamber part opposite the whirlpool chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of destroying and vaporizing refuse, primarily household waste. The material is fed into a shaft furnace, in which the material is subjected to a vaporization and combustion process in at least three zones, said zones being produced by the supply of blast air at least at three different levels in the shaft furnace which blast gas completely or partly is supplied with controlled quantities of thermal energy by means of electricity, preferably by using at least one plasma generator. The gas produced by the process is withdrawn through an annular drum, arranged about two thirds of the way up the shaft furnace. The gas leaving can be used as combustion gas e.g. for district heating plants and steam power stations with varying thermal requirements.