Abstract: A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid food materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.

Abstract: A reaction vessel for making phlegmatized metal powder or alloy powder has a retort crucible with a heat-proof, coolable cover, a heatable reduction furnace into which the retort crucible may be inserted, and an inner crucible placed within the retort crucible and removable therefrom. At least one inlet is built into the coolable cover for adding a passivating gas. A heat-proof flange welded onto the retort crucible attaches the retort crucible to the heat-proof, coolable cover. A cooler welded onto a lower face of the heat-proof flange provides a cooling agent to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating an interconnect for a fuel cell stack include placing a compressed metal powder interconnect on a porous support, and sintering the interconnect in the presence of a non-oxidizing gas. The method may further include placing the sintered interconnect on a porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of flowing air, or placing the sintered interconnect on a dense, non-porous support, and oxidizing the interconnect in the presence of a gas comprising pure oxygen or an oxygen/inert gas mixture that is substantially nitrogen-free.

Abstract: A target material refinement device may include a refinement tank to accommodate a target material, a heating section to heat the interior of the refinement tank, and an oxygen-atom removing section to remove oxygen atoms present in the target material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a burning apparatus and a method for manufacturing reduced iron using the same, and more particularly, to a burning apparatus heating a coal briquette to manufacture reduced iron, which includes a first burning furnace heating the coal briquette while moving the truck accommodating the coal briquette along a linear movement path; a second burning furnace connected to the other side of the first burning furnace, and heating the coal briquette while moving the coal briquette discharged from the truck along an annular path; and a cooling device connected to the second burning furnace, and cooling the reduced iron while moving reduced iron reduced in the second burning furnace along an annular path. The burning apparatus circulates exhaust gases generated in the burning furnace and cooling device to control a temperature and an oxygen concentration and thus improves a metallization rate of the reduced iron.

Abstract: A method of removing salt from a dendritic mixture includes loading the dendritic mixture into a mechanical press system. The dendritic mixture includes a metallic dendrite and salt dispersed within the metallic dendrite. The dendritic mixture is heated to liquefy the salt without volatilizing one or more metals of the metallic dendrite. The dendritic mixture is also compressed to obtain a fluidic mixture and an ingot of the metallic dendrite. The fluidic mixture may include molten salt and residual metallic dendrite. The fluidic mixture may be filtered to separate the residual metallic dendrite from the molten salt.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering or extracting rare earth elements under mild conditions include subjecting a material including rare earth element to a rare earth element crystallization medium under solvothermal conditions sufficient to form rare earth element crystals capable of gravity separation and purification.

Abstract: In the present pelletizing apparatus, the induration of iron ore concentrate pellets is achieved in a tunnel furnace heated by plasma torches, wherein the generation of by the conventional iron ore pelletizing processes is reduced by using electricity powered plasma torches instead of burning natural gas, heavy oil or pulverized coal in burners, thereby reducing considerably industrial pollution of the atmosphere.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for producing low oxygen-content molybdenum powders by reducing MoO3. The apparatus includes a body, a cover to close an upper end of the body, a joint to couple the body with the cover, a bracket located in the body, and a micro-sieve located on an upper portion of the bracket. Metal Mo powders having the oxygen content of 3,000 ppm are obtained by using the apparatus for producing low oxygen-content molybdenum powders by reducing MoO3.

Abstract: A gas stream containing both hydrocarbon and hydrogen is separated into a hydrogen-rich fraction and a hydrocarbon-rich fraction. Then at least one sub-quantity of the hydrocarbon-rich fraction is subjected to at least one operation from the group oxidation using technically pure oxygen and reforming using CO2 and H2O. The result is introduced at least as a component of a reduction gas into a reduction unit containing the metal oxides. As a result of the at least one operation, the hydrocarbon content in the reduction gas on entry into the reduction unit is below 12% by volume.

Abstract: Extracting gallium and/or arsenic from materials comprising gallium arsenide is generally disclosed. In some example embodiments, a material comprising gallium arsenide may be exposed to a first heating condition to form a first exhaust. The first exhaust may be directed to an arsenic collection bed including aluminum, which may form aluminum arsenide. The material including gallium arsenide may be exposed to a second heating condition and/or a vacuum may be applied, which may form a second exhaust. The second exhaust may be directed to a gallium collection bed including aluminum, which may form gallium alloys of aluminum.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are reactors and methods for forming alloys based on titanium-aluminium or alloys based on titanium-aluminium inter-metallic compounds. The reactor comprises a first section having an inlet through which precursor material comprising titanium subchlorides and aluminium can be introduced. The first section is heatable to a first temperature at which reactions between the titanium subchlorides and aluminium can occur, and further comprises a gas outlet via which any gaseous by-product formed can be removed. The reactor also comprises a second section which can be heated to a second temperature at which reactions of material transferred from the first section can occur to form the titanium-aluminium based alloy, a gas driver adapted in use to cause any gaseous by-product formed in the reactions in the second section to move in a direction towards the first section, and an intermediate section between the first and second sections.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hopper and a reduction device using the same. The hopper and the reduction device can be used to refining a material using thermal reduction reaction. The reduction device has a body defining cavity and a hopper, wherein the hopper is slidably disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing granular metallic iron by reducing a raw material mixture including an iron oxide-containing material and a carbonaceous reducing agent, comprises: a step of charging the raw material mixture onto a hearth of a moving hearth-type thermal reduction furnace; a step of reducing the iron oxide in the raw material mixture by the carbonaceous reducing agent through the application of heat, thereby forming metallic iron, subsequently melting the metallic iron, and coalescing the molten metallic iron to granular metallic iron while separating the molten metallic iron from subgenerated slag; and a step of cooling the metallic iron to solidify; wherein the heat-reducing step includes a step of controlling the flow velocity of atmospheric gas in a predetermined zone of the furnace within a predetermined range. This method makes it possible to manufacture the granular metallic iron of high quality.

Abstract: A two stage ironmaking process is disclosed. A first stage includes solid state reduction of iron ore and producing a partially-reduced iron-containing feed material and an off-gas containing CO2 at a location that is in close proximity to a site for sequestering CO2. A second stage includes transporting the feed material to an ironmaking facility iron at another location and producing iron from the feed material.

Abstract: A direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material using a molten bath based direct smelting process is disclosed. The plant includes a gas delivery duct assembly extending from a gas supply location away from the vessel to deliver oxygen-containing gas to gas injection lances extending into a direct smelting vessel. The gas delivery duct assembly includes a single gas delivery main connected to the gas injection lances to supply oxygen-containing gas to the gas injection lances. The gas delivery main is located at a height above a lower half of the vessel.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the heating of a medium in a compartment 1 in which pellets 2 are arranged to be oxidised and sintered with the aid of the hot medium. The method comprises the introduction of a first medium 3 into the compartment 1 through an inlet 4 and the heating of the first medium 3 when it is present in the inlet 4. The heating takes place through the use of a combustion arrangement 5, or a part of such an arrangement, that is arranged in the inlet 4 and that comprises fuel. The heating, the use of the combustion arrangement 5, comprises in turn the ignition of the fuel, combustion of the fuel whereby combustion heat is developed, and the transfer of the combustion heat to the first medium 3 that is present at the combustion arrangement 5 in the inlet 4.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for the oxidation and sintering of pellets 1 arranged in a compartment 2 in which the oxidation and sintering take place with the aid of a medium with a defined temperature, which medium heats the pellets 1. The method comprises the introduction of a first medium 3 into the compartment through an inlet 4 connected to the compartment 2 and the heating of the medium in the inlet through the use of a combustion arrangement 5, or a part of a combustion arrangement, arranged in the inlet 4 and comprising fuel where the use of the combustion arrangement 5 comprises the ignition of the fuel, the combustion of the fuel whereby combustion heat is developed, and the transfer of combustion heat to the first medium 3 that is present at the combustion arrangement 5.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method during the oxidation and sintering of pellets (1) arranged in a compartment (2) in which the sintering takes place with the aid of a medium with a high temperature, which medium heats the pellets (1). The method comprises the introduction of a first medium (3) into the compartment (2) through an inlet (4) connected to the compartment (2) and the heating of the first medium (3) in the inlet (4) through the use of a combustion arrangement (5), or a part of a combustion arrangement, arranged in the inlet (4) and comprising fuel. The use of the combustion arrangement (5) comprises the ignition of the fuel, combustion of the fuel whereby combustion heat is developed, and the transfer of the combustion heat to the first medium (3) that is present at the combustion arrangement (5).

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of handling a molten metal processing by-product are provided in which the by product is placed in a container unit and put in the apparatus, the apparatus including an element having a first position outside of the container and a second position in which at least a part of the element is in the container so as to compress the by-product and exclude oxygen from it. The element also serves to transfer heat from the contents of the container unit to the element and so provide cooling. The element can then be returned to the first position, the container unit be removed and placed at a cooling location for final cooling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a deoxidation apparatus for preparing low-oxygen titanium powders. The deoxidation apparatus includes a lower container having an open upper portion and storing an deoxidizer representing an oxygen degree higher than an oxygen degree of titanium and a melting temperature lower than a melting temperature of titanium, and an upper container coupled with the lower container on the lower container and storing titanium base powders. The upper container is provided at a lower surface thereof with a sieve, and allows the deoxidizer, which is evaporated due to heating, to make contact with the titanium base powders so that the titanium base powders are deoxidized.

Abstract: A plasma system including a plasma source or torch such as an ICP torch acting on a granulated feed material containing a desired product is presented. Methods for employing the system are described including a process for extracting the desired product from a reaction in the plasma system, recovery of otherwise wasted heat energy, and separation of useful materials from mixed mineral substances is discussed.

Abstract: A device for producing granular metal iron by placing a mass of a raw material mixture comprising a substance containing iron oxide and a carbonaceous reducing agent onto a heath of a moving heath type heating furnace and heating the mass to reduce iron oxide in the mass, thereby producing the granular metal iron. The device comprises, in addition to the moving heath type heating furnace, a sieving machine, a first magnetic separator and a second magnetic separator, and also comprises a passage through which a discharged substance from the moving heath type heating furnace is supplied to the sieving machine, a passage through which crude granules that have been sieved by the sieving machine are supplied to the first magnetic separator, and a passage through which fine granules that have been sieved by the sieving machine are supplied to the second magnetic separator.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing lead and zinc from concentrates of zinc and lead sulfides or oxides, including: a source of zinc ore and/or lead ore concentrates, iron bearing and carbon containing materials; metallic iron fines and iron oxide fines; carbonaceous reductant; fluxing agent; and a binder; a mixer for forming a mixture from said concentrates and other materials; an agglomerator communicating with the mixer for forming agglomerates from the mixture; a melting furnace for melting the mixture and vaporizing lead and zinc; a pressure sealed feed system communicating with the agglomerator and the melting furnace for introducing agglomerates to the melting furnace; a pressure sealed chamber surrounding the melting furnace; a water-cooled condenser for receiving the vaporized metal and cooling and condensing the metal vapors to liquid metal; a tapping device communicating with the condenser for removing the liquid metal; and associated devices for separating the zinc and lead and recovering the lead and zinc me

Abstract: A process for energy- and emission-optimized iron production and an installation for carrying out the process. A first partial amount of a generator gas produced in a melter gasifier is used as a first reducing gas in a first reduction zone. A second partial amount is fed to at least one further reduction zone as a second reducing gas. In addition, after CO2 scrubbing, a partial amount of top gas removed from the first reduction zone is admixed with the generator gas after the latter leaves the melter gasifier, for cooling the generator gas.

Abstract: A floating entrainment metallurgical process includes injecting a reaction gas and powdery materials into a reaction furnace, aiming to obtain a controllable highly rotating and floating state and reach the ignition point under the high-temperature radiation of the reaction furnace to combust intensely. Meanwhile, a rotating fluid injected in the reaction furnace will drive the furnace gas, and forms a relatively low-temperature circular backflow protection area around the rotating fluid.

Abstract: The present technology provides an illustrative apparatus for recycle electric arc furnace (EAF) dust and method of use related to the same. The apparatus has a heat controlling region coupled to a separation volume and includes at least one magnet and a cooling region. The heating controlling region operates at a temperature sufficient to transform at least some of the EAF dust into a mixture of gaseous zinc and one or more additional metals. The magnet separates the iron-rich material from the mixture of gaseous zinc and one or more additional metals and the cooling region condenses the gaseous zinc.

Abstract: Here, a method has been offered of aluminum reception by means of metallothermal magnesium recovery of aluminum trichloride in the flow of inactive gas at the temperature of 900-1150° C. and the total pressure of 0.01-5 atm., the mass correlation of aluminii chloride and magnesium in the parent mix being 3.69:1.00. The process is realized in a cylinder-shaped reactor with thin-walled attachments (6) made of ceramics and located inside the reactor. The latter is supplied with a cone-like bottom part. A cauldron-evaporator of magnesium into the flow of inactive gas is mounted in front of the reactor, while behind it there is a unit for separating liquid magnesium from the residual mix of magnesium and aluminii chloride, all the components of the device having been lined inside with fireproof materials. The technical result is growth of efficiency at the expense of guaranteed uninterrupted process of recovery and the best of ecological specifications.

Abstract: A refractory particularly for the use in an inner lining of a blast furnace is a layered composite comprising a protective layer and a conductive layer, wherein the interlayer bonding strength between the individual layers is more than 6 MPa.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for reducing charge materials containing iron ore or for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a smelting unit are provided, the charge materials being at least partially reduced in at least one reduction unit by means of a reducing gas and optionally at least some of the at least partially reduced charge materials being melted in a smelting unit while supplying coal or coke and gas containing oxygen, while simultaneously forming the reducing gas, and the reducing gas or a reducing gas generated externally being supplied to the reduction unit. In the event of an interruption in the production of pig iron or primary steel products, the at least one reduction unit is emptied and the at least partially reduced charge materials are introduced into at least one vessel and kept under a non-oxidizing shielding gas atmosphere.

Abstract: The invention provides a crystalline Ti powder produced in a molten salt medium, said powder comprising predominantly particles of single ?-Ti crystals that are directly applicable in powder metallurgy.

Abstract: A reactor system for the transformation of solid, liquid, gaseous, and related hydrocarbon feedstocks into high-purity, high-pressure gas streams capable of withstanding high temperatures and high pressures. The system comprises a plurality of reactor housings and a plurality of molten-metal bath vessels within the housings, the bath vessels in fluid communication with each other via conduits, with communication facilitated by gravity and temperature/pressure differentials.

Abstract: There is provided a method and an apparatus for treating return ores using plasma, capable of treating sintered return ores generated in a sintering process in a steel maker or return ores (iron ores) employed in other ironmaking process such as FINEX. The method of treating return ores using plasma includes: providing return ores sorted out by a sorting process; and bonding the return ores by fusing and agglomerating the return ores using plasma. Also, an apparatus for treating return ores using plasma includes a plasma heating device used to fuse and agglomerate sorted return ores. The return ores of a predetermined grain size are fusion-bonded and agglomerated using a flame of a plasma heating device. Particularly, the return ores can be treated in a massive amount to enhance productivity of a fusion-bonding process of the return ores. Furthermore, a great amount of sintered return ores generated in the sintering process can be subjected to a fewer number of re-treatment processes.

Abstract: The object of the invention is an arrangement for feeding powdery solid matter into a concentrate burner (2) of a suspension smelting or suspension converting furnace (1). The concentrate burner (2) comprises reaction gas feeding means (6), powdery solid matter feeding means (3) and a concentrate distributor (7). The arrangement comprises a first powdery solid matter discharge pipe (8) for feeding powdery solid matter into the powdery solid matter feeding means (3) of the concentrate burner (2). The first powdery solid matter discharge pipe (8) is provided with a first partition (10). which divides solid matter, for dividing the first powdery solid matter discharge pipe (8) into two essentially similar discharge pipe parts (II). The powdery solid matter feeding means (3) of the concentrate burner (2) comprise an annular concentrate discharge channel (4) that surrounds the concentrate distributor (7) of the concentrate burner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing sludge from a fume scrubbing system that scrubs fumes from a steelmaking converter in a manner that separates/isolates a significant portion of the metallic iron particles in the sludge and prepares these particles for convenient handling. In an exemplary system, the system includes separating equipment that isolates metallic iron particles in the sludge and forming equipment that forms the isolated particles into briquettes that have relatively high mechanical resistance that allow the briquettes to maintain their integrity during handling and storage. The high-metallic-iron-content briquettes can be recycled in the steelmaking process, for example, as charging material for a basic oxygen converter or an electric arc furnace. Water used in the system can be recycled and reused within the system, thereby making the system environmentally friendly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal using high-moisture content carbonaceous material, including: agglomerating carbonaceous material from the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with a metal oxide-bearing material to form an agglomerate suitable for use in a direct reduction and/or hot metal producing process. The method also includes distilling the high-moisture content carbonaceous material. The method further includes dry quenching the carbonaceous material obtained from the distilling step. The method still further includes drying the high-moisture content carbonaceous material with energy from a hot off gas from a furnace for producing direct reduced iron and/or hot metal prior to the distilling step.

Abstract: Provided is a movable hearth furnace for thoroughly removing alkali metal elements and producing high-strength reduced iron when producing reduced iron using iron production dust containing alkali metal elements in a movable hearth furnace. The movable hearth furnace comprises: a reduction zone for heating and reducing a carbon composite briquette (C) to produce a reduced briquette (D) having an iron metallization rate of 80% or greater; an alkali removal zone, disposed after the reduction zone, for heating the reduced briquette in a reducing atmosphere and removing the alkali metal elements from the reduced briquette to obtain an alkali-free reduced briquette; and a strengthening zone, disposed after the alkali removal zone, for heating the alkali-free reduced briquette in an oxidizing atmosphere and raising the crushing strength of the alkali-free reduced briquette to produce reduced iron product.

Abstract: A system for cooling and recuperative heating of a slurry in a metallurgical process which includes heat exchangers, pumps and autoclaves is described herein. The heat exchangers use a non-scaling common liquid heat transfer medium. Preferably, the heat exchangers are tube-in-tube heat exchangers with 3 to 7 slurry tubes in each heat exchanger. An advantage of this system is that it does not use flash tanks. To minimize abrasive wear on impinged surfaces, the velocity of the slurry is not more than 5 meters per second. The slurry comprises a solids concentration of 25% to 50%. Preferably, the pumps in the system are float-type pumps in which the driven liquid from the discharge pumps is also used as the drive liquid for the feed pumps.

Abstract: The invention discloses a reduction apparatus having a main body made of silicon carbide-based material and collectively formed by a top portion, a bottom portion, and a side portion, wherein the bottom portion includes a slanted plane, and the main body has an inlet and a metallic vapor exit provided near the top portion and an outlet provided near the lowest end of the slanted bottom portion; an inlet closure connected with the inlet; an outlet closure connected with the outlet; and a metal collector or a condenser connected with the metallic vapor exit. The invention solved problems found in conventional reduction retorts, including: small capacity, low metal output, inconvenience in charging reactant material and discharging spent residue, and heavy workload for workers. The invention also shortened the time for reduction reaction, increased production efficiency and output of the reduction furnace, and reduced production cost.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for direct smelting metalliferous material is disclosed. The invention concentrates injection of solid feed materials comprising metalliferous material and carbonaceous material into a direct smelting vessel during the course of the process into a relatively small region within a metal layer in a molten bath in the vessel in order to generate a substantial upward movement of molten material and gas from the metal layer into a region in the vessel that is above the molten bath. In particular, the invention injects the solid feed materials with sufficient momentum and/or velocity via an opposed pair of lances that are oriented within the vessel and arranged to form overlapping plumes of injected material in the molten bath.

Abstract: A center backfire inner heat regenerative energy saving high efficiency furnace and tank integration reduction furnace system comprises a furnace section and a heating section. The furnace section includes a reduction tank, a material inlet door, a magnesium crystal collecting machine, and a residue exhaust pipe. The reduction tank includes a tank body, a centre combustion room, and plural fume exhaust pipes. The material inlet door is connected to a material charging room between the center combustion room and the tank body, and the magnesium crystal collecting machine is provided with a crystal cover communicating with the material charging room, and a water recycling condensation equipment outside the crystal cover. The residue exhaust pipe is connected to the material charging room and provided with a residue exhaust door and a water dispersing heat separating cover. The heating section includes a burner connected to the center combustion room.

Abstract: A process for producing pig iron or liquid primary steel products in a smelting unit (1), in particular a melter gasifier. Iron-ore-containing charge materials, and possibly additions, are at least partially reduced in at least one reduction unit (R1, R2, R3, R4) by means of a reducing gas. A first fraction of the at least partially reduced charge materials is melted down in the smelting unit (1), while carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas are supplied, with the simultaneous formation of the reducing gas. The reducing gas is fed to the reduction unit (R1, R2, R3, R5) and, after the reducing gas has passed through the reduction unit, it is drawn off as top gas. A second fraction of the at least partially reduced charge materials is fed to a smelting reduction unit for reducing and smelting.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing iron ore pellets containing hematite is described. The pellets containing magnetite are exposed to microwave energy in a heat treatment furnace under oxidizing conditions to convert magnetite to hematite.

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 present disclosure relates to a hopper and a reduction device using the same. The hopper and the reduction device can be used to refining a material using thermal reduction reaction. The reduction device has a body defining cavity and a hopper, wherein the hopper is slidably disposed in the cavity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention relates generally to a multi-stage system for performing melt coalescence and separation, the multi-stage system. In one embodiment, the multi-stage system includes a first container for mixing a powder with a salt, the first container having an opening, a heating means coupled to the first container for heating the first container and a second container coupled to the first container.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to metal reduction processes, which comprise adding a mixture comprising at least one metal-containing material, at least one reducing agent, and at least one additive into a reactor, heating the reactor to a selected reduction temperature, moving the mixture through the reactor while stirring the mixture, allowing a reduction period to occur, and obtaining a resulting composition comprising at least one zero-valent metal and a residue. The disclosure also relates to metallurgical processes comprising the metal reduction process, and products made by the metal reduction process. The disclosure further relates to metal reduction apparatuses, as well as metal reduction systems and metallurgical systems comprising the metal reduction apparatuses.

Abstract: A smelting furnace having a vessel (102) for receiving material to be smelted. An inner surface (109) of the furnace is concave and reflective, at least an upper part thereof. A conductive electrode (120) of the furnace is continuously formed in the furnace by casting.

Abstract: One aspect is a method of recovering minerals. The method includes heating aggregated minerals with microwave energy. The aggregated minerals consists of at least a first and a second mineral bound together, the first and second minerals each having different differential thermal expansion rates such that fractures occur between the minerals of the aggregated minerals. The fractured minerals are subjected to microwave heating to induce fractures between and separation of the at least first and second minerals, and also to ultrasound energy causing further size reduction. The fractured and size-reduced minerals are heated with microwave energy. The fractured and size-reduced minerals consist of metal-containing materials, such that metal-containing materials are heated to at least the melting temperature of one of the metals in the metal-containing materials.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a novel electric induction furnace design that enables the removal of zinc-containing filter dust (FD) originating from the production of steel (alloy or non-alloy) and the production of cast iron with galvanised steel scrap, using a novel process based on the carbothermal reduction of the metal oxides present in the FD, performed at the temperature at which the materials are melted inside the electric induction furnace. The electric induction furnace of the invention incorporates an electric arc or plasma beam generator to melt all the inorganic non-metallic material. The incorporation of this generator also enables the use of large volumes of molten slag.