Abstract: A process for producing sponge iron from iron ore is described, which is reduced to sponge iron in a reduction shaft furnace by means of a hot reduction gas. For this purpose reduction gas at a temperature in the range 750.degree. to 900.degree. is introduced into shaft furnace (1) level with bustle plane (5) having been produced in a gasifier (2) then cooled and purified in a cyclone separator (12). Reduction gas is introduced below the bustle plane (5) at a temperature below that of the reduction gas introduced in the bustle plane and is preferably introduced into the shaft furnace (1) between 650.degree. and 750.degree.. Increased carburization of the sponge iron is obtained. Increased carbon separation also results through a volume increase, particularly by increasing the cross-section through the lower part of the shaft furnace.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process of recovering molten pig iron or steel pre-products from lumpy iron-oxide containing charging substances. The charging substances are reduced to sponge iron in a direct reduction zone, the sponge iron is smelted in a meltdown gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas forming a coal fluidized bed, and CO and H.sub.2 containing reduction gas is produced, which is injected into the direct reduction zone and reacted there. For the commercial utilization of low-quality scrap grades, such as, e.g., automotive scrap,(a) scrap is charged into the meltdown gasifying zone in addition to sponge iron,(b) the scrap has an apparent weight of between 300 and 1000 kg/m.sup.3, preferably between 400 and 600 kg/m.sup.3, and(c) the temperature of the coal fluidized bed is maintained at 1,500.degree. to 1,7800.degree. C.

Abstract: Fine ore is reduced in a circulating fluidized bed by a reduction gas in the presence of fine coal, the discharged mixture of iron sponge particles and fine coal is subjected to hot compacting and then fed to a melting vessel in which oxygen is injected into the molten material through nozzles. The melting vessel can also be supplied with scrap which has been pre-heated by the hot waste gases from the melting vessel, in a scrap pre-heater which is fitted onto the melting vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging a melting gasifier (2) with gasification media and with sponge iron discharged from a direct reduction shaft furnace (1) arranged above the melting gasifier is described. This comprises inlets and outlets in the lower part of the shaft furnace, connecting lines (4) in the form of downcomers between the shaft furnace and the gasifier in the upper region of the latter, symmetrically to the longitudinal axis of the shaft furnace and/or the gasifier and discharge means (7) for the sponge iron, such as screw conveyors or the like aligned radially to said longitudinal axis. The connecting lines at least approximately vertically issue into the lowermost, substantially horizontal base region of the shaft furnace. The discharge means are arranged at the melting gasifier inlets (9) in the discharge direction behind the connecting lines and the gasification medium inlet (3) is located in the longitudinal axis of the melting gasifier immediately adjacent to the sponge iron inlets.

Abstract: There is described a mill for the production of steel from liquid and solid charging substances. It includes a coking plant, a blast furnace plant, a converter steelworks, and a plant for the direct reduction of iron ore. The converter steelworks is charged with molten pig iron from the blast furnace and with scrap as well as with sponge iron from the direct reduction plant. The reduction gas is composed of converter offgas, top gas and blast furnace gas. In order to avoid coal deposits in the direct reduction plant and to improve the composition of the reduction gas, the coke oven gas component is subjected to fractionation by alternating pressure adsorption so as to increase its portion of hydrogen and to lower its portion of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A metal-making apparatus is suited for the production of molten iron from iron ore which is in a state of particles with a wide range in size. Included are a solid-state prereduction furnace for preliminarily reducing the raw ore particles in a solid state, and a smelting reduction furnace for smelting the prereduced ore particles and reducing them in a molten state. High temperature reducing gas generated within the smelting reduction furnace is directed into the prereduction furnace and blown up through a distributor on which there is loaded a charge of raw ore particles. The ore particles of larger size form a fluidized bed on the distributor and so are prereduced by making intimate contact with the gas. Ore particles of smaller size, on the other hand, are carried away from the fluidized bed by the waste gas and thereby prereduced while being recirculated through the prereduction furnace.

Abstract: A powdery or fine granular ore containing metal oxides is melted and refined by charging the ore and a part of a reducing gas discharged from a vertical type of melting and reducing furnace into a fluidized bed type of preliminary reducing furnace to preliminary reduce the ore therein, charging the preliminary reduced ore heated at a high temperature into the above described melting and reducing furnace and melting and reducing the ore by using a carbonaceous solid reducing agent and air or oxygen rich air heated at a high temperature and discharging the molten metal and the molten slag from the melting and reducing furnace. By using the preliminary reduction step, the pretreatment of the powdery or fine granular ore containing metal oxides, such as formation into pellets, sintered ores, briquets and the like can be omitted.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for charging metal chips into a molten bath of the metal from which the chips are formed, comprising a compacting extruder and a delivery conduit which is resistant to the mass of molten metal and which is pivotable to dip into the molten metal bath when chips are being charged thereinto and out of contact with the bath when charging is to be discontinued, are disclosed. The chips are forced through the delivery conduit in the form of a compacted or densified mass preferably having a density between about 30 and 60 percent of the density of the solid metal and preferably between about 55 and 80 pounds per cubic foot. Feed is continued while the delivery conduit is in the molten metal bath and until it is removed therefrom to prevent entry of molten metal into the delivery conduit. The method is preferably conducted on a continuous basis and various sensors with appropriate wiring may be employed for safety and for making the method substantially automatic in operation.

Abstract: In operating a mill including a blast furnace and a steel converter, it is difficult to mutually adapt the operations of the blast furnace and of the converter in a flexible way. When using scrap as a coolant in the refining process, undesired accompanying elements are introduced into the metal melt.The invention consists in that, instead of a blast furnace, a direct reduction plant in combination with a meltdown gasifier are provided as the pig iron source. This aggregate is operated in combination with a single steel converter. The direct reduction plant, on its discharge side, is connected both with the meltdown gasifier and with the steel converter via sponge iron transporting devices. The meltdown gasifier communicates with the steel converter via a transport line for molten pig iron. As the solid charge in the refining process sponge iron is exclusively used.

Abstract: To gain electric energy in addition to producing molten pig iron, from lumpy iron ore and solid fuels, by using a direct reduction zone for the reduction of the iron ore to sponge iron and a meltdown-gasifying zone for the production of molten pig iron, carbon carriers are used in, and oxygen-containing gases are supplied to, the meltdown-gasifying zone. The reduction gas forming is fed into the direct reduction zone. The reduction gas reacted there is supplied as top gas to a power generation plant including a turbine. In order to adapt the power generation to the power consumption by simultaneously avoiding any influence on the metallurgical conditions at the production of pig iron and its further processing, the charge of carbon carriers into the meltdown-gasifying zone is varied as a function of the gas consumption of the power generation plant in a manner that, with a higher gas consumption, the volatile constituents of the charge are increased and the C.sub.

Abstract: A process for producing sponge iron from iron ore is described, which is reduced to sponge iron in a reduction shaft furnace by means of a hot reduction gas. For this purpose reduction gas at a temperature in the range 750 to 900.degree. C. is introduced into shaft furnace (1) level with bustle plane (5) having been produced in a gasifier (2) then cooled and purified in a cyclone separator (12). Reduction gas is introduced below the bustle plane (5) at a temperature below that of the reduction gas introduced in the bustle plane and is preferably introduced into the shaft furnace (1) between 650.degree. and 750.degree. C. Increased carburization of the sponge iron is obtained. Increased carbon separation also results through a volume increase, particularly by increasing the cross-section through the lower part of the shaft furnace.

Abstract: A process of producing iron from fine-grained iron ore by direct reduction, which includes adding oxygen, sponge iron and at least one of coal fines and low-temperature carbonized coal to an iron bath in a melt gasifier to produce a reducing gas, regulating the temperature of the reducing gas by blowing coal fines into it to produce a cooled reducing gas and a low-temperature carbonized coal, separating the low-temperature carbonized coal from the cooled reducing gas in order to use the separated low-temperature carbonized coal in the melt gasifier, preheating a fine-grained iron ore with a used reducing gas containing carbon monoxide to a temperature from 450.degree. to 700.degree. C., and reducing the preheated fine-grained iron ore with the cooled reducing gas at a temperature from 700.degree. to 1100.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing cooling gas for a producer gas produced in a melt-down gasifier and surplus gas usable in an appropriate manner by cooling and cleaning at least part of the producer gas and the top gas of an iron ore reduction unit are proposed. The cooling gas is exclusively obtained by preparing producer gas. There is a cooling and a cleaning unit for the surplus gas and the cooling gas in each case. A constant gas flow is passed through the rear portion of the cooling and cleaning unit for the cooling gas with the aid of a constant volume blower. That part of the producer gas supplied to the cooling and cleaning unit for the cooling gas which exceeds this constant gas flow is passed into the cooling and cleaning unit for the surplus gas. The cooling and cleaning units can be constructed in two-stage manner, namely with in each case one packing washer (3 or 6) and a following adjustable Venturi washer (5 or 8).

Abstract: A process and an arrangement for the production of molten pig iron or steel pre-products from particulate ferrous material as well as for the production of reducing gas in a meltdown gasifier. A fluidized bed of coke particles is formed by the addition of coal and the injection of oxygen-containing gas. In order to ensure a satisfactory mode of operation of the meltdown gasifier even if coal of inferior quality with a high moisture content and a high portion of volatile matter is used, additional heat is supplied to the meltdown gasifier above the feed lines for the fluidized-bed-forming oxygen-containing gas by burning and/or degassing coal particles separated from the reducing gas.

Abstract: In the operation of mills for the production of steel from molten pig iron and solid ferrous carriers, it is sought for economic reasons to increase the portion of solid ferrous carriers. To supply thermal carriers, such as fossile fuels, as is known, involves the disadvantages of extended charging times and of undesired accompanying elements introduced into the process.To avoid these disadvantages, the invention provides for a combination of at least one steel converter with a direct reduction plant, a meltdown gasifier and a cupola. Therein, sponge iron discharged from the direct reduction plant is melted to pig iron in the meltdown gasifier, on the one hand, and is used as solid charge for the converter. Scrap, together with coke, is melted in the cupola to blown metal, the latter, together with the pig iron produced in the meltdown gasifier, being supplied to the converter as liquid charge.

Abstract: In this process for the direct production of sponge iron particles and molten pig iron from lump iron ore, which is reduced in a direct reduction unit (2) and supplied in the hot state to a melt-down gasifier (1), the sponge iron particles discharged from the direct reduction unit are separated into a fine particle fraction and a coarse particle fraction and only the former is supplied to the melt-down gasifier. Separation takes place in an air classifier (7) connected to the discharge means of the direct reduction unit and through said classifier flows cooling gas at a predetermined velocity in countercurrent to the sponge iron particles. This cooling gas is admixed with the reducing gas produced in the melt-down gasifier for the direct reduction unit and said gas mixture, as well as the fine particle fraction of the sponge iron entrained therewith are supplied to cyclones (5 and 6). The solid separated therein, e.i.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the direct reduction of iron-oxide-containing materials by a gasification gas produced in a gasifier by reacting carbon with oxygen and, if desired, with steam, upon the addition of sulfur acceptors in a fluidized bed. The gasification gas is supplied to a direct reduction shaft furnace after separation of solid particles carried therewith. At least part of the top gas withdrawn from the direct reduction shaft furnace is compressed after dust scrubbing and is recycled to the gasifier. The sulfur acceptors are supplied as fine particles separated from the coal in cocurrent with, and/or counterflow to, the fluidized-bed forming gases. The top gas from the reduction shaft furnace, which has a concentration of from 15 to 30% CO.sub.2 and a temperature of from 80.degree. to 800.degree. C., is recycled laterally through the wall of the gasifier into the region of the fluidized bed, which is maintained at a temperature of at least 1,150.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the introduction of metal chips, especially scrap metal chips, into a molten mass of the metal of which said chips are formed, wherein the essentially dry chips are first compacted and placed into strip form, and then introduced into the molten metal bath in such strip form in an essentially continuous manner, is disclosed. A cleaning flux is also advantageously incorporated with the chips, into the compacted and strip form thereof, and then into the bath. The metal chips, after compacting and placing into strip form, are introduced directly into the molten metal bath through the skin of metal oxide existing on its surface and caused to become a part of the metal pool beneath the surface thereof without essential disturbance of the metal oxide skin except at the point of introduction.

Abstract: A method of producing iron from finely divided iron oxide comprising the steps of: mixing iron oxide or iron ore fines with finely divided coal and a binder to form a mixture, agglomerating the mixture by compacting, pelletizing, or briquetting the mixture to form agglomerates or pellets, introducing the pellets to a rotary hearth furnace to prereduce the iron in the pellets, introducing the prereduced pellets into a smelting reduction vessel as the metallic charge constituent, introducing particulate carbonaceous fuel and oxygen to the smelting reduction vessel through the bottom of the vessel to react with the melt or bath within the vessel, reduce the iron to elemental iron and form an off gas containing CO and H.sub.2 introducing the off-gas into the rotary hearth furnace as process gas to prereduce the pellets therein, and drawing off the hot metal from the smelting reduction vessel.The prereduced compacts are preferably discharged from the rotary hearth furnace at a temperature of at least 1000.degree.

Abstract: A process and a plant for the direct reduction of iron oxide particles in a shaft furnace and for smelting the obtained iron sponge particles in a meltdown gasifier. A coal fluidized bed is formed in the meltdown gasifier by supplying coal and oxygen-containing gas, in which the heat necessary to smelt the iron sponge particles as well as the reducing gas to be injected into the shaft furnace are produced. The top gas remaining after the reduction is drawn off the upper part of the shaft furnace and the dusty solid particles, which are discharged together with the reducing gas and/or with the top gas, are washed out by scrubbers. The suspension of the washed out solid particles is thickened and separated into a clear overflow and a concentrated coal slurry. The coal slurry is recycled into the meltdown gasifier, is pressure-gasified with oxygen and is burnt by burners arranged in the upper part of the meltdown gasifier and directed towards the coal fluidized bed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing liquid iron from iron oxide, wherein the iron oxide is substantially converted to sponge iron by passing reducing gas through it in a reduction column and is then melted in a melt vessel which is in open communication with the reduction column by heat generated by reaction of oxygen-containing gas and carbonaceous material which reaction provides said reducing gas. To improve control of the process, the oxygen-containing gas and the carbonaceous material are respectively substantially pure oxygen and coal powder which are delivered separately into the melt vessel, and the liquid iron bath in the melt vessel is stirred so as at least partly to be kept in motion. By separate control of the oxygen and coal supplies, e.g. the level and/or direction of delivery, and by control of stirring, it is possible to control the ratio of CO and CO.sub.2 in the reducing gas and also the heat output in the melt vessel.

Abstract: A highly efficient method and apparatus for production of molten iron using coal by coal gasification in a molten iron gasifier-melter. The gasifier-melter is coupled to a direct reduction shaft furnace and utilizes both the gaseous and solid output of the shaft furnace. The process is especially efficient when using non-metallurgical coals.

Abstract: Waste or refuse is fed to a first reaction chamber communicating with a second one through openings in the lower portion of a partition between the chambers and hot metal or the like is fed into at least one of the two chambers; gas is extracted from the second chamber and the pressure conditions are such that different liquid levels obtain in the two chambers causing reaction gas to bubble through the openings and the liquid in the second chamber. The principle product gases extracted are hydrogen, carbonoxide and inert gases. Lime is preferably added to the waste to be processed.

Abstract: A method of using coal for reducing iron ore in a fluidized bed to obtain a reduced iron comprising fluidizing and pylolysis of a fine coal in a first fluidized bed, fluidized and thermal cracking the vapored material from the first fluidized bed in a second fluidized bed to deposit carbon on the surface of iron ore particles, fluidizing and reducing the iron ore in a third fluidized bed using reducing gas from generator.

Abstract: Sponge iron is produced by a direct reduction of iron oxide containing materials in a rotary kiln, the material discharged from the rotary kiln is separated into sponge iron and material which contains surplus carbon, the carbon-containing material is burnt in a fluidized bed reactor containing a circulating fluidized bed, and the heat generated by the combustion is recovered and utilized to produce electric power. To ensure a utilization of the surplus energies of the rotary kiln process and to minimize the contents of SO.sub.2, NO.sub.

Abstract: A process for the production of pig iron from iron ore is disclosed. The pig iron is firstly converted to sponge iron in a direct reduction shaft furnace (1) and then the sponge iron is converted to pig iron in a melt-down gasifier (2). The shaft furnace and melt-down gasifier are interconnected by means of downcomers (6). Apart from the sponge iron, the melt-down gasifier is supplied with a carbon carrier in the form of coke and oxygen-containing gas. The gas produced in the melt-down gasifier is supplied to the shaft furnace (1) in the form of reduction gas via downcomers (6), pipe (8), cyclone separator (12) and pipe (4). By means of pipes (10 and 11), cooled, cleaned blast furnace gas from shaft furnace (1) is admixed as cooling gas with the gas produced in the melt-down gasifier. With the aid of a screen (15), the melt-down gasifier is supplied with the fine fraction via pipe (7) and the shaft furnace is supplied via pipe (16) with the coarse fraction of the coke required for the operation of the plant.

Abstract: A drilling machine for heavy steel structural shapes (e.g. profiles such as I-beams) has one or more of the drill carriages provided with a cantilever arm carrying a burner which is also operated by the numeral controller of the drilling machine. The latter receives a displacement measuring input from an additional detector associated with the drive which may be spaced from the drills in the direction of feed of the I-beam on a roller conveyor to permit burner cutting of the drilling end of the I-beam. The two drives may be synchronized by a universal joint shaft.

Abstract: In the case of an arrangement comprising a gasifier and a direct reduction shaft furnace positioned above it and which is connected to the gasifier by a connecting shaft, the direct introduction of the reduction gas obtained in the gasifier, even in the case of a high dust proportion, is made possible in that the sponge iron particles are discharged through several radially positioned screw conveyors and the reduction gas is fed to an annular zone formed above the screw conveyors.

Abstract: An integrated gasifying apparatus for solid municipal waste, sewage sludge and coal utilizes a fluidized-bed gasifier from which the char enters a low-temperature fluid bed combustor and then a high-temperature fluid bed combuster. CaO is admitted to the gasifier to form part of the bed and calcined lime is carried out of the high temperature combustor. The product gases are separated to recover CO.sub.2 which is recirculated to the gasifier at least in part as a fluidizing gas.

Abstract: Particulate iron ore is reduced to sponge iron in a vertical shaft reduction reactor by forcing the ore upwardly in a moving bed counter-current to a descending stream of hot reducing gas produced by the gasification of coal in a gasifier, for example, a melter-gasifier, containing a molten iron bath and producing a hot dust-laden gas. The product sponge iron may be used as a feed material for the molten bath in the gasifier. The reactor is equipped with a gas outlet plenum containing a renewable body of ore to minimize clogging at the gas outlet.

Abstract: In a process for the direct production of sponge iron particles and liquid crude iron from iron ore in lump form, which is reduced in a direct reduction unit and fed in a hot condition to a melting gasifier, the sponge iron particles which are discharged from the direct reduction unit are separated into a fine grain fraction and a coarse grain fraction, and only the fine grain fraction is fed to the melting gasifier. That ensures economy of operation, without an excess of gas.

Abstract: In a melting/gasifying furnace including a coke-filled layer, coal is gasified by oxygen blown through tuyeres into a hot reducing gas which is caused to ascend through the coke-filled layer so as to melt reduced iron supported on the top of the coke-filled layer. The resulting molten iron flows down through the coke-filled layer, and is collected in the lowermost region of the coke-filled layer and discharged therefrom, while the hot gas is recovered. The thus recovered gas is fed into a shaft reduction furnace to reduce iron ores, and the thus formed reduced iron is supplied into the melting/gasifying furnace. In addition to the coal, a variety of fuels mainly comprising carbon and hydrogen such as heavy oil, natural gas, etc. are used for gasification. The fuel is blown through the tuyeres and/or charged through middle openings disposed above the tuyeres.

Abstract: An apparatus including a single electrolytic/reaction cell, for extraction of titanium sponge from rutile ore. Magnesium chloride is electrolytically separated into magnesium metal and chlorine gas within the cell. The chlorine gas produced is reacted with rutile ore and coke to produce titanium tetrachloride in a separate chlorinator and the product is directed to the cell subsequent to completion of electrolysis. Titanium tetrachloride is reacted with magnesium metal in the same cell where the magnesium is produced to form titanium sponge and magnesium chloride. The titanium sponge is separated within said cell with the magnesium chloride being recovered and recycled. Major impurities are separated by distillation. Plural electrolytic cells can be coupled to a single chlorinator in a continuous process. Very pure titanium sponge is produced with this self-replenishing process.

Abstract: A reverberatory furnace for melting aluminum or other metals which includes a preheater (12) which utilizes exhaust flue gasses from the furnace (10) to preheat the metal before it enters the furnace. A set of horizontal flue ducts (18, 20, 22) conduct the flue gasses to a preheater chamber (26) where they heat the metal. An air entrance port (50) is provided in the preheater chamber (26) to allow secondary combustion of the volatile flue gasses for additional efficiency.

Abstract: A cupola for the melting of metal is provided with an auxiliary gas generator which supplies through the forehearth hot carbon monoxide rich gas to the bottom of the cupola as a source of heat. The heat of the gases maintains the cupola hearth and forehearth hot. Ordinary coal, or coke breeze or any other carbonaceous fuel may be burned in the generator. Additionally, the cupola may be allowed to go to zero output without cooling off.

Abstract: A method of desulfurizing iron in an induction furnace is disclosed. High purity magnesium, carried in a lance controlled cartridge, is plunged into the lower zone of a molten metal pool of an induction furnace; the cartridge is held submerged for a period of 30-200 seconds. The molten metal column above the submerged cartridge must be at least 2.5 feet, preferably 6-7 feet. The molten metal temperature at the time of cartridge plunging is limited to 2400.degree. F. or less. Magnesium recovery will be at least 70%, which is better than other prior art methods by a factor of 1.4.

Abstract: In a method of producing iron by direct reduction of the ore, compaction into agglomerates and fusion, where the ore is reduced by a gaseous process with pre-reduction to monoxide FeO at 1000.degree. C., followed by a final reduction at 700.degree. C. The resultant powder is compacted into agglomerates and dumped, in successive loads after each pour, into an induction melting furnace and melted by contact and mixing with a preexistent charge of liquid metal. An amount equivalent to the newly-melted charge is poured into a refining ladle, after skimming off the slag.

Abstract: A drilling attachment for a numerically controlled flame cutting apparatus of the type having a plurality of flame cutting assemblies mounted in spaced relation in a plane for controlled lateral movement along a horizontally translationally movable beam for cutting intricate patterns from a sheet metal workpiece, which comprises a mounting member adapted to be secured to the beam for controlled lateral movement therealong in a manner similar to the flame cutting assemblies, a support plate carried by the mounting member and vertically movable relative thereto, a motor for moving the support plate vertically between a drilling position near the surface of the workpiece and a storage position remote from the workpiece, at least one drill motor secured to the support plate for movement therewith and for rotatably driving a cutting head to drill a hole in the workpiece, at least one drill feed rate control mechanism associated with the drill motor for controlling advancement of the cutting head into the workpiece

Abstract: A workpiece is shifted forwardly and rearwardly beneath a punch and a transversely spaced cutting torch by a work table formed with a comparatively wide fore-and-aft extending throat for accommodating a die and a duct which underlie the punch and the torch, respectively. The throat is partially filled by platforms which normally support the overlying portions of the workpiece to reduce deflection thereof but which are adapted to be automatically moved out of the way of the rear of the table when the table is shifted forwardly.

Abstract: The upper structure of an aluminum melting furnace is constructed with supporting structure for a fossil fuel burner and supporting structure for electrically operated heating elements. The furnace may thus be operated with alternate heating systems, one system using fossil fuel and the other electricity.