Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing reduced iron and a method for manufacturing reduced iron. The method for manufacturing reduced iron includes the steps of: i) drying ores in an ore drier; ii) supplying the dried ores to at least one reduction reactor; iii) reducing the ores in the at least one reduction reactor and manufacturing reduced iron; iv) discharging exhaust gas by which the ores are reduced in the reduction reactor; v) branching the exhaust gas and providing the branched exhaust gas as ore feeding gas; and vi) exchanging heat between the exhaust gas and the ore feeding gas and transferring the sensible heat of the exhaust gas to the ore feeding gas. In the steps of supplying the dried ores to the at least one reduction reactor, the dried ores are supplied to the at least one reduction reactor by using the ore feeding gas.

Abstract: A method for introducing fine particulate material (4) of ferruginous particles into a fluidized bed reduction unit (1) having a fluidized bed (24), wherein the temperature in the fluidized bed (24) is more than 300° C., and wherein the fine particulate material (4) is introduced directly into the fluidized bed (24) and/or into a free space (25) above the fluidized bed (24) by means of a burner (2). The method may be used for producing liquid pig iron (17) or liquid steel precursor products (18) by a smelting reduction process in a smelting reduction unit (22).

Abstract: A process for producing hot metal includes partially reducing granular raw materials containing iron oxide with a carbonaceous reducing agent in a fluidized bed reactor at a temperature of at least 850° C. so as to obtain a reduced mixture. The reduced mixture is cooled to between 600° C. and 800° C. in a heat exchanger apparatus using a preheated process gas as a cooling medium that is preheated to between 300° C. and 500° C. before being introduced into the heat exchanger apparatus. The reduced mixture is then supplied to a smelting reduction unit via a discharge system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing molten irons. The method for manufacturing molten irons includes providing a mixture containing iron by drying and mixing iron ores and additives, passing the mixture containing iron through one or more successively-connected fluidized beds to convert the mixture into a reducing material that is reduced and calcined, forming a coal packed bed, which is a heat source in which the reducing material has been melted, charging the reducing material to the coal packed bed and supplying oxygen to the coal packed bed to manufacture molten irons, and supplying reducing gas exhausted from the coal packed bed to the fluidized bed. In the providing a mixture containing iron, exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized bed is branched to dry at least one of the iron ores and the additives. The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons uses this method for manufacturing molten irons.

Abstract: A fluidized bed reduction reactor (100) for supplying a reduced iron to a melter-gasifier (1) of a smelting reduction system includes an exhaust gas supply unit (3) for supplying an exhaust gas to a reduction gas supply tube (4) interconnecting the melter-gasifier (1) and fluidized bed reduction furnaces (20, 30, 40) when the pressure of the reduction gas in each fluidized bed reduction furnace radically decreases with the occurrence of pressure peak in the melter-gasifier (1). The fluidized bed reduction reactors further include iron ore flow blockage prevention units for directly bypassing some of the reduction gas from each iron ore discharge tube (33, 43) disposed between the neighboring furnaces to the scrubber (50) when the inner pressure of the melter-gasifier (1) radically increases with the occurrence of pressure peak, and a backup gas supply unit supplying a backup nitrogen gas to the bottom of each fluidized bed reduction furnace when a nozzle of a distribution plate (24, 34, 44) is clogged.

Abstract: In a process for producing a metal melt by reducing metal-oxide-containing material in a fluidized-bed reactor by the fluidized-bed method and by subsequently melting down the reduced material in a melt-down gasifier, in the melt-down gasifier there is generated from carbon-containing material a reducing gas which is used for reducing the metal-oxide containing material by the fluidized-bed method. Both the reducing and the melting-down are effected under atmospheric excess pressure. For the purposes of transferring the reduced material from the fluidized-bed reactor into the melt-down gasifier in a simple manner, a lower pressure is set in an intermediate vessel situated above the melt-down gasifier than in fluidized-bed reactor, and the reduced material is allowed to flow, under relaxation, upwards from the fluidized-bed reactor into the intermediate vessel and conducted from the intermediate vessel via a sluice system into the melt-down gasifier while being pressurized.

Abstract: A smelting reduction apparatus which separates exhaust gas, which is exhausted from a melter-gasifier or a fluidized bed reactor, into dusts and reducing gas to supply them to each fluidized bed reactor respectively is disclosed, in which the smelting reduction apparatus includes a three-stage type fluidized bed reactor, a melter-gasifier for manufacturing molten pig iron by finally reducing the fine iron ores of which reaction is finished in a final fluidized bed reactor, and a dust separating device, which performs separation of exhausted gas from the melter-gasifier into dusts and reducing gas, so as to supply the separated reducing gas to a lower part of the final fluidized bed reactor, dusts having a larger particle sizes in the separated dusts to the melter-gasifier again, and fine dusts having a smaller particle sizes in the separated dusts to an upper part of a gas distributor of the final fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: In a process for producing a metal melt by reducing metal-oxide-containing material in a fluidized-bed reactor (1 to 3) by the fluidized-bed method and by subsequently melting down the reduced material in a melt-down gasifier (10), in the melt-down gasifier (10) there is generated from carbon-containing material a reducing gas which is used for reducing the metal-oxide-containing material by the fluidized-bed method. Herein, both the reducing and the melting-down are effected under atmospheric excess pressure.

Abstract: A two-stage fluidized bed reducing apparatus and a reducing method for fine iron ore of a wide particle size distribution with an increased degree of utilization of the reducing gas. Fine iron particles dropping through the holes of a gas distributor can be recycled into the fluidized bed furnace, thereby preventing an impediment of the reducing gas flow due to abnormal defluidizing or channeling. A first fluidized bed furnace dries, pre-heats and pre-reduces the fine iron ore, and a second fluidized bed furnace finally reduces the pre-reduced iron ore. Downstream of the respective fluidized beds are installed intermediate hoppers and gas/solid sealing valves. Thus, the fine iron ore particles which drop through the holes of gas distributors during the abnormal operation are recycled to the furnaces. Accordingly, the gas flow is not impeded.

Abstract: A combustion chamber in a melter gasifier extends into a fluidized bed to isolate fine particulate ore introduced into the chamber from the remaining internal portion of the melter gasifier. The fine particulate ore is melted in the chamber and falls on the bed to be reduced as it trickles down to the molten metal in the melter gasifler bottom. Reducing gases withdrawn from the melter gasifier are filtered through the bed, thereby preventing the fine particulate ore from being withdrawn with the gases. The chamber can be liquid cooled and use a burner to provide combustion temperatures.

Abstract: A process for direct smelting a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of partially reducing metalliferous feed material and substantially devolatilising coal in a pre-reduction vessel and producing a partially reduced metalliferous feed material and char. The process also includes direct smelting the partially reduced metalliferous feed material to molten metal in a direct smelting vessel using the char as a source of energy and as a reductant and post-combusting reaction gas produced in the direct smelting process with pre-heated air or oxygen-enriched air to a post-combustion level of greater than 70% to generate heat required for the direct smelting reactions and to maintain the metal in a molten state.

Abstract: In the process for the production of liquid pig iron 943) or liquid steel pre-products from charging substances comprising iron ore (5) and fluxes and at least partially containing a portion of fines, the iron ore is directly reduced to sponge iron in at least two reduction stages (1, 2) by the fluidized bed method, the sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasifying zone (39) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H2-containing reducing gas is produced which is injected into reduction zones of the reduction stages (1, 2), is reacted there, is withdrawn as a top gas and optionally is supplied to a consumer.

Abstract: Solid state iron oxide reduction in a gas-solid reduction zone is combined with continuous melting of the hot solid reduced iron in a fuel-fired gas-solid-liquid melting zone within a rotary furnace by pneumatic transfer of the hot reduced iron by carrier gases through a transfer duct connected into an injection lance projecting into the melting zone and carrying a nozzle which directs a jet of hot reduced iron downwards into the metal bath, with a preferred embodiment of continually traversing the lance and thereby the jet of carrier gases and hot reduced iron longitudinally forwards and backwards enhancing heat transfer. The invention embraces a broad range of known solid-state reduction processes, classified either as: Group A. those employing gases within a gravity contact-supported or fluidized moving bed at substantial pressures of 1-5 atmospheres; or Group B. solid carbonaceous reductants in a rotary kiln or rotary hearth conducted at near ambient atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A process for direct smelting metalliferous feed material is disclosed. Iron oxides are partially reduced in a solid state in a pre-reduction vessel. The partially reduced iron oxides are smelted to molten iron in a direct smelting vessel which contains a molten bath of iron and slag and is supplied with a solid carbonaceous material as a source of reductant and energy and with an oxygen-containing gas for post-combusting carbon monoxide and hydrogen generated in the vessel. The direct smelting step generates an off-gas that contains sulphur and the off-gas is released from the direct smelting vessel. Part only of the off-gas released from the direct smelting vessel is used in the pre-reduction step to pre-reduce iron oxides in the pre-reduction vessel. Part only of the off-gas is used in the pre-reduction step in order to control the amount of sulphur that is returned with the partially reduced iron oxides to the direct smelting vessel.

Abstract: In a method for producing a hot CO- and H2-containing reducing gas serving for the reduction of fine-grained metal ore, in particular iron ore, the reducing gas is formed in a gasification zone by a gasification of carbon carriers, in particular coal, taking place under the supply of oxygen and subsequently is cooled down to a reducing-gas temperature favorable to the reduction process. In order to produce a thermodynamically more stable reducing gas, the reducing gas by the addition of H2O and/or CO2—in order to prevent the Boudouard and heterogeneous water-gas reaction and a resultant heating of the reducing gas—is converted to a reducing gas that is thermodynamically more stable at the reducing-gas temperature.

Abstract: In a method of charging metal carriers which contain a portion of fines and are at least partially reduced and carbon carriers to a melter gasifier (10) in which a melt-down gasifying zone (11) is maintained, the metal carriers and the carbon carriers are fed into the melter gasifier (10) above the level of the melt-down gasifying zone (11) and descend to the melt-down gasifying zone (11) and travel through the same forming a metal melt and producing a reducing gas by coal gasification. In order to prevent a partial discharge of the metal carriers from the melter gasifier (10) during the charging of the same and to be able to achieve uniform distribution of the carbon carriers and the metal carriers, both the carbon carriers and the metal carriers are introduced into the melter gasifier centrally above the melt-down gasifying zone (11), preferably gravitationally, with a central strand (32) of metal carriers being formed which is peripherally surrounded by a jacket strand (37) formed by the carbon carriers.

Abstract: A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of partially pre-reducing the metal oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 60% in one or more pre-reduction stages. Thereafter, the method comprises completely reducing the metal oxides and melting the metal in a smelt reduction stage. The method is further characterized by carrying out at least one of the pre-reduction stages with one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas as a source of reductant.

Abstract: According to a process for producing pig iron (10) from fine-particulate iron oxide carriers and lumpy iron-containing material in a meltdown gasifying zone (9) of a melter gasifier (3), the iron-containing material is melted in a bed (13) formed of solid carbon carriers, under the supply of carbon-containing material and oxygen-containing gas while simultaneously forming a reducing gas. Fine-particulate iron-oxide carriers, such as iron-containing fine ore and ore dust and oxidic iron fine dust, are introduced into a reducing gas stream leaving the melter gasifier (3), and the reducing gas is separated from the fine-particulate material formed thereby. The separated fine-particulate material is introduced into the meltdown gasifying zone (9) via a dust recirculation line (26, 27, 28, 29) and through a dust burner (30), and the reducing gas is used for reducing iron-oxide-containing material.

Abstract: A plant for producing sponge metal, in particular sponge iron, from charging materials consisting of metal ore or iron ore respectively, preferably in lumps and/or pellets, and optionally fluxes, comprising at least one first gas source (1, 3) dispensing a CO— and H2- containing feedgas, a CO2 elimination plant (17, 17′) and optionally a heating means (22, 25) for the feedgas from the first gas source (1, 3) is provided with a reduction reaction (20) which forms a further gas source for a CO— and H2-containing feedgas and serves for receiving metal ore, a reducing-gas feed duct (19) leading to this reduction reactor (20) and an export-gas discharge duct (31) from said further reduction reactor (20), wherein a conveying duct (30) for at least a portion of the export gas formed in the reduction reactor (20) and serving as a feedgas is flow-connected with the reducing-gas feed duct (19) of the reduction reactor (20) via a CO2 elimination plant and optionally a heating means.

Abstract: In a method of charging metal carriers which contain a portion of fines and are at least partially reduced to a melter gasifier in which a melt-down gasifying zone formed by a bed is maintained, the metal carriers and carbon carriers are fed into the melter gasifier above the level of the melt-down gasifying zone. The metal carriers descend to the melt-down gasifying zone and travel through the same forming a metal melt and producing a reducing gas by coal gasification.

Abstract: In the process for the production of liquid pig iron 943) or liquid steel pre-products from charging substances comprising iron ore (5) and fluxes and at least partially containing a portion of fines, the iron ore is directly reduced to sponge iron in at least two reduction stages (1, 2) by the fluidized bed method, the sponge iron is melted in a melt-down gasifying zone (39) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H2-containing reducing gas is produced which is injected into reduction zones of the reduction stages (1, 2), is reacted there, is withdrawn as a top gas and optionally is supplied to a consumer.

Abstract: In a method for treating particulate material in the fluidized bed method, the particulate material is maintained in a fluidized bed by a treating gas flowing from bottom to top and thereby is treated. To minimize the consumption of treating gas and to reduce entrainment of fine particles by the treating gas, a particulate material having a wide grain distribution and a relatively high portion of fines is used for treatment and the treating gas in the fluidized bed is maintained at a superficial velocity less than the velocity required for fluidizing the largest particles of said particulate material.

Abstract: A method for producing a sponge metal from metal ore or iron ore which comprises reacting said metal ore or iron ore in a reduction zone with a CO— and H2-containing, reducing feed gas source which has been compressed, and after said reaction, withdrawing the remaining feed gas as an export gas from the reduction zone, wherein the CO— and H2-containing feed gas is introduced into the reduction zone form at least to gas sources, whereby upon a breakdown of one of the feed gas sources, at least a portion of the export gas recovered from the reduction zone is compressed, subjected to CO2 elimination recycled to the reduction zone together with the reducing feed gas.

Abstract: In a method of producing liquid pig iron or liquid steel pre-products from iron-oxide-containing material, fine-particulate iron-oxide-containing material is reduced to fine-particulate sponge iron by the fluidized bed method by passing a reducing gas through at least one fluidized bed reduction stage (7, 8), and lumpy ore is reduced to lumpy sponge iron in a fixed bed reduction stage (28). The sponge iron is charged into a melting-gasifying zone (11) and is molten there under a supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas, in which a CO— and H2-containing reducing gas is generated for reducing the iron-oxide-containing material. To avoid treating the fine-particulate sponge iron separately from the lumpy sponge iron, the fine-particulate sponge is charged directly to the melting-gasifying zone (11) in an untreated condition and in fine-particulate form, and there, is melted together with the lumpy sponge iron.

Abstract: In a plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron, comprising at least one fluidized bed reactor adapted to receive fine ore, a reducing-gas feed duct leading to said fluidized bed reactor, an off gas discharge duct departing from the fluidized bed reactor and a discharge means, preferably a briquetting means, provided for the reduction product formed in the fluidized bed reactor, the off gas discharge duct of the fluidized bed reactor runs into a purification means, such as a scrubber, subsequently into a heating means and finally into the reducing gas feed duct of the fluidized bed reactor. To produce a product having a high quality standard at a minimum energy input, the heating means is constructed such that it comprises two stages including a heat exchanger as the heating means for the reducing gas and, connected serially therewith, a partial combustion means for the reducing gas with an oxygen feeding means.

Abstract: The production of highly metallized feed, an intermediate product produced solely by gaseous reductants in two stage reduction processes of that kind, encounters sticking problems, which interfere with continuous processing and productivity. This problem has been overcome by exploiting a high volatile carbonaceous material, such as coal, as the reducing agent for the (partially reduced) oxide ore starting material in the solid state prereduction stage of a duplex process, in which the final stage consists of smelting, to produce the final metal (alloy). Intermediate products of the first stage are char from the coal, which avoids the sticking problem, partially reduced ore and CO and H2, which participate in the prereduction. The process has particular application to iron ores, such as haematite and magnetite and similar derivatives, namely, chromite and oxidic nickel ores.

Abstract: A process for producing sponge iron by directly reducing particulate, iron-oxide-containing material, wherein reducing gas that is formed from carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas in a melt-down gasifying zone is introduced into a reduction zone that contains the iron-oxide-containing material, characterized by the combination of the following characteristic features: (i) to the reduction zone, a reducing gas is fed which contains between iron-oxide-containing material 20 g and 100 g per Nm.sup.3 of a dust having a carbon content of between 30 mass % and 70 mass %; and (ii) the iron-oxide-containing material is exposed to the reducing gas for a time period that exceeds the period for a complete reduction. The process of the invention renders it possible to produce a sponge iron of elevated carbon content.

Abstract: A process for conversion of iron oxide to iron carbide, including the steps of: providing a fluidized bed reactor having a metallizing zone and a carburizing zone; feeding iron oxide to the reactor; feeding a reducing gas to the reactor so as to provide reduced iron in the metallizing zone; and feeding a carburizing gas to the carburizing zone so as to provide a final iron carbide product in the carburizing zone having between about 2.2% wt. and about 6.5 wt. % carbon and at least about 80% wt. iron.

Abstract: In a process for the production of molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products and sponge iron from charging materials consisting of iron ore and, if desired, fluxes, direct reduction of the charging materials to sponge iron is carried out in a fixed-bed reduction zone, the sponge iron is melted in a meltdown gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers as well as an oxygen-containing gas and a CO- and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced which is fed to the reduction zone, is reacted there and is drawn off as an export gas, and the drawn-off export gas is subjected to CO.sub.2 elimination and for the production of sponge iron is along with part of the reducing gas formed in the meltdown gasifying zone as an at least largely CO.sub.2 free reducing gas conveyed to a further reduction zone for the direct reduction of iron ore.

Abstract: A plant for the production of pig iron and/or sponge iron includes a direct-reduction shaft furnace for lumpy iron ore, a melter gasifier, a feed duct for a reducing gas connecting the melter gasifier with the shaft furnace, a conveying duct for the reduction product formed in the shaft furnace connecting the shaft furnace with the melter gasifier, a top-gas discharge duct departing from the shaft furnace, feed ducts for oxygen-containing gases and carbon carriers running into the melter gasifier and a tap for pig iron and slag provided at the melting vessel.

Abstract: In a process for producing molten pig iron or liquid steel pre-products, from particulate iron-oxide-containing material by fluidization, the iron-oxide-containing material is prereduced in at least one prereduction stage (7) by aid of a reducing gas and subsequently is reduced to sponge iron in a final reduction stage (8), the sponge iron is melted in a meltdown-gasifying zone (11) under the supply of carbon carriers and an oxygen-containing gas, and a CO- and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced which is introduced into the final reduction stage (8), is reacted there, is drawn off, subsequently is introduced into a prereduction stage (7), is reacted there, is drawn off, subjected to scrubbing and subsequently is carried off as an export gas and wherein at least a portion of the reacted reducing gas is purified from CO.sub.2, is heated and is used as a recycle-reducing gas for the reduction of the iron-oxide-containing material.

Abstract: An iron ore refining method in which a secondary reactor is employed for partly reducing iron ore and partly oxidizing a carbon containing substance to form partly reduced secondary iron ore, the coal char and a calorific containing carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in a ratio of no less than about 0.25. The calorific gas is separated from the partly reduced secondary iron ore and the coal char and the resulting heated solids are introduced into the primary reactor without substantial cooling. All or part of the iron product is formed from the partly reduced iron ore produced in the primary reactor. Since the secondary reactor operates at a lower temperature than the primary reactor, part of the iron product is processed at a lower temperature to reduce oxygen requirements for the refining and to increase thermal efficiency.

Abstract: A process for treating iron-bearing material with a carbonaceous material to form a dry mixture, wherein the amount of carbonaceous material added exceeds the stoichiometric amount required to reduce the metal oxide to elemental metal. In one embodiment, the process also includes blending an organic binder with the dry mixture. The dry mixture is agglomerated to bond the dry mixture and form green compacts. The green compacts are loaded into a heated furnace and heated for about 5-12 minutes at a temperature of between about 2100.degree.-2500.degree. F. to reduce the iron oxide containing compacts to compacts containing elemental iron and an excess amount of carbonaceous material wherein the excess amount of carbonaceous material counteracts re-oxidation of the elemental iron. The reduced compacts are then discharged from the furnace.

Abstract: A three-stage, fluidized-bed-type reduction apparatus and a method for using it for reducing fine iron ores of wide size ranges, improving the gas utilization and reduction degree, reducing the residence time of iron ores, and increasing the prereduction rate of reduced iron. The apparatus includes serially arranged a drying/preheating furnace with a first cyclone connected to it, a primary prereduction furnace with a second cyclone connected to it, a secondary high-gas-velocity reduction furnace for finally reducing only a coarse ore portion of the prereduced iron ores at a bubbling fluidized state while carrying over the medium/fine ore portion of the iron ores, a secondary low-gas-velocity reduction furnace for finally reducing the medium/fine ores forming a bubbling fluidized bed thereof, an inner cyclone installed in the secondary low-gas-velocity reduction furnace, and a third cyclone for capturing dusty ores not captured by the inner cyclone.

Abstract: Continuous steel making is carried out in an elongated approximately horizontal reactor by providing an iron-rich feed more than half of which is an iron-rich material containing a fine iron ore metallized by more than half of its weight to elemental iron by prereduction. The iron-rich feed and a carbonaceous material are smelted and the melt is covered by a slag layer. By submerged injection a carbonaceous material and a tonnage oxygen gas preferably of at least 95% by volume oxygen is introduced and a gas preferably of at least 95% by volume oxygen is introduced into the smelting zone without penetrating the slag layer. Moderate turbulence is introduced in the reactor bath and the iron layer and slag layer flow countercurrently with the iron flowing into a refining zone and the slag flowing from the refining zone into the smelting zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing direct reduced iron using a melter-gasifier and two reduction reactors. In the first reduction reactor, iron ore is prereduced using a reducing gas from a melter-gasifier. This prereduced iron ore is fed into the melter-gasifier to produce pig iron. A secondary reducing gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide is withdrawn from the first reduction reactor and is reacted with water to produce carbon dioxide which is subsequently removed to produce a tertiary reducing gas that is used in the second reduction reactor to produce direct reduced iron from iron ore.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing a metallurgical process in which a carbonaceous material is converted to a reducing gas and a metal is melted in a main reactor, particulate coal is partially oxidized in a secondary reactor to form a particulate char and a calorific gas under conditions which minimize the formation of carbon monoxide, and at least part of the char and some of the calorific gas are introduced into the main reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products from charging substances formed of iron ores and fluxes and at least partially comprising fines, wherein the charging substances are directly reduced to sponge iron in at least one reduction zone by the fluidized layer process, the sponge iron is melted in a melting-gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas, and a CO and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced, which is injected into the reduction zone, is reacted there, is withdrawn as an export gas and is supplied to a consumer, is to be improved with a view to rendering feasible the use of fine ore in an economic manner.

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 process for producing molten pig iron or molten steel pre-products from charging substances formed of iron ores and fluxes and at least partially comprising fines, wherein the charging substances are directly reduced to sponge iron in at least one reduction zone by the fluidized layer process, the sponge iron is melted in a melting-gasifying zone under supply of carbon carriers and oxygen-containing gas, and a CO and H.sub.2 -containing reducing gas is produced, which is injected into the reduction zone, is reacted there, is withdrawn as an export gas and is supplied to a consumer, is to be improved with a view to rendering feasible the use of fine ore in an economic manner.

Abstract: In a first fluidized bed vessel containing an expanded fluidized bed, iron oxide-containing materials are reduced under weakly reducing conditions with solid carbonaceous reducing agents to or to less than the FeO state. In a second fluidized bed vessel containing an expanding fluidized bed the gas-solids suspension discharged from the first fluidized bed vessel is treated with a highly reducing fluidizing gas whereby the material is reduced in part to iron metal. From the gas-solid suspension discharged from the second fluidized bed vessel the carbonized carbonaceous material is separated and is recycled to the first fluidized bed vessel. The exhaust gas from which the carbonized carbonaceous material has been removed is purified and CO.sub.2 is removed therefrom and the exhaust gas is subsequently fed as a fluidizing gas to the second fluidized bed vessel.

Abstract: A method is provided to improve the production of hot direct reduced iron in a melter-gasifier; reduction furnace system. All of the reduction gas produced in the melter gasifier and the top gas produced in reduction furnace which has been stripped of CO.sub.2 are recycled to the reduction furnace. The reduction furnace is sized to process all this gas and bypassed direct reduced iron may result.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for smelting reduction of metal ores involving a combination process wherein the metal ores are partly reduced in one or more stages and then completely reduced to metal in a melt-down reactor. The combination process comprises at least three process units, and the melt-down reactor forms one process unit. The partial reduction of the metal ores is performed in at least two further process units. A different waste gas is produced in each of these at least three process units.

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: A process for controlling the conversion of reactor feed to iron carbide is disclosed. The reactor feed is subjected to a process gas in a fluidized bed reactor (10), and the off-gas from this reaction is analyzed (56) to determine its composition and the temperature (64) and pressure (66). A stability phase diagram is generated based on the temperature. Different regions of the stability phase diagram are representative of different products being formed by the conversion of the reactor feed. Based on relative concentrations of the individual gases in the off-gas and the total pressure, a point is plotted on the stability phase diagram indicative of the favored reaction product. The process parameters can then be adjusted to insure that iron carbide can be produced from the reactor feed based on the stability phase diagram. In one embodiment, the rate of conversion of the reactor feed into iron carbide is controlled.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petrole

Abstract: A method for treating gases and solids in a fluid bed, the fluid bed reactor substantially comprising, regarded downstream, a mixing chamber, a riser pipe and a cyclone with a solids return pipe to the mixing chamber, the gases being introduced into the mixing chamber at a gas rate immediately before the inlet port of the mixing chamber of more than 35 m/sec.

Abstract: A method for controlling a flow rate of gas for prereducing ore comprises the steps of prereducing ore in a prereduction furnace having a fluidized bed with a gas generated in a smelting reduction furnace and controlling a pressure of gas generated in the smelting reduction furnace and introduced into the prereduction furnace, thereby controlling the actual flow rate of gas introduced into the prereduction furnace. An apparatus for controlling a flow rate of gas for prereducing ore comprises a flow passage for introducing gas generated in a smelting reduction furnace into a prereduction furnace and a gas pressure control valve positioned in the flow passage.

Abstract: A prereduction furnace of a smelting reduction facility of iron ore includes of a fluidizing prereduction chamber at an upper part of the prereduction furnace wherein iron ores are fed and prereduced, a gas blowing chamber at a lower part of the prereduction furnace wherein a reducing gas is fed, a ceramic main body of a distributor mounted between the fluidizing prereduction chamber and the gas blowing chamber, a metal box attached to the bottom side of the ceramic main body, which prevent adhesion of dust in the reducing gas, nozzles passing through the ceramic main body and through the metal box for injecting the reducing gas in the blowing chamber, into the prereduction chamber and a discharge pipe for discharging prereduced iron ores mounted at a bottom center portion of the prereduction chamber and extending through the ceramic main body, through the metal box, and through a bottom of the gas blowing chamber.

Abstract: A prereduction furnace of a smelting reduction facility of iron ore includes a fluidizing prereduction chamber installed at an upper part of the prereduction furnace wherein iron ores are fed and prereduced, a gas blowing chamber installed at a lower part of the prereduction furnace wherein a reducing gas is fed, a distributor installed between the fluidizing prereduction chamber and the gas blowing chamber, a first plurality of nozzles passing through the distributor for injecting the reducing gas in the gas blowing chamber into the fluidizing prereduction chamber, a discharge pipe for discharging prereduced iron ores installed at a bottom center portion of the fluidizing prereduction chamber and extending through the distributor, wherein a cooling fluid flows, at least two horizontally movable gas purging pipes arranged below the distributor, and a second plurality of nozzles attached to the horizontally movable gas purging pipes for injecting a purging gas to a bottom surface of the distributor to prevent