Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the smelting of a metalliferous feedstock material. The process includes the steps of: (i) feeding an agglomerate comprising of a fine metalliferous feedstock material and a fine reductant to a reactor, the agglomerate forming a packed bed within the reactor; (ii) smelting the agglomerate by passing a hot reducing gas counter current through the packed bed to form a molten material comprising a partially reduced metalliferous constituent, an intermediate slag constituent and entrained unreacted reductant constituent; and (iii) channeling the molten material to flow into a vessel to form a metal product and a slag product.

Abstract: Lead/lead oxide/carbon (“Pb—O—C”) nanocomposite materials are useful as electrode active materials for electrodes in lithium and sodium batteries. A Pb—O—C nanocomposite as described herein comprises Pb and lead oxide nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in a carbon nanoparticle matrix. In the nanocomposite, the other element or elements (e.g., transition metals, Al, Si, P, Sn, Sb, and Bi) can be alloyed with the Pb nanoparticles, incorporated as a mixed oxide with the lead oxide nanoparticles, or can be present as distinct elemental or oxide nanoparticles within the carbon nanoparticle matrix. In some embodiments, the additional element or elements are present as alloys and mixed oxides with the Pb materials and as distinct elemental and/or oxide nanoparticles. In a preferred embodiment the Pb nanoparticles surface is oxidized to lead oxide thus creating a shell on core nanostructure.

Abstract: A top-blowing lance includes a refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle having a plurality of ejection openings through which oxygen gas is blown into an iron bath in a reaction vessel, the ejection openings being disposed along a circular orbit at intervals, and a burner nozzle having an axis coaxial with the central axis of the circular orbit, forming a flame inside the refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle, and having ejection openings for blowing a powder heated by the flame into the iron bath, wherein an indicator A that indicates the positional relationship between the ejection openings of the refining oxygen gas blowing nozzle and the ejection openings of the burner nozzle satisfies the specified conditions.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing cast iron or semi steel with reducing gas in a high pressure refractory lined shaft furnace using minimal or no coke Iron ore and slag are fed into the operative top zone of the shaft furnace while reducing gas which is generated in a refractory lined gasifier using preheated oxygen is fed through tuyeres at the operative bottom and middle zones. The shaft furnace is operated at a high pressure to increase productivity and to facilitate use of the spent reducing gas downstream. Excess oxygen is fed into the shaft furnace to reduce the carbon content in the molten iron and generate semi steel. The size of the furnace is reduced. The method is economical.

Abstract: A process for producing agglomerates from fine-grained iron carriers and at least one binder as a charge material for a metallurgical process is shown. In at least one further agglomeration step, the agglomerates are coated with a layer, comprising iron carriers and at least one binder, and heated in such a way that the binder is cured in the region of the surface of the agglomerates. In a process for producing liquid pig iron or liquid primary steel products from charge materials and possibly additions and agglomerates, the agglomerates are preheated in a reducing zone, which has a preheating stage, in such a way that the agglomerates completely harden in the preheating stage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons by injecting fine carbonaceous materials into a melter-gasifier and a method for manufacturing molten irons using the same.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an equipment for feeding and distributing charge and fuel in furnaces of rectangular cross section, comprising movable feeding tubes to distribute along the longitudinal section and the cross section of the furnace, both a charge comprised of self-reducing agglomerates, ore, scrap or any other metallic material, and solid fuels of any kind.

Abstract: A system wherein oxygen is provided to a shaft furnace in addition to the blast air, and a flame shroud is formed around the oxygen stream enabling deep penetration of the oxygen into the furnace for not only combusting carbonaceous material for generating heat but also for cutting and oxidizing metal within the furnace.

Abstract: A method for reducing metal oxides in a shaft furnace. A charge of metal oxide and a reductant is reacted in the furnace to produce a primary metal of the metal oxide and an additional secondary metal. The temperature of the off gas from the reaction is controlled to prevent condensing of the secondary metal so that it remains in the off gas for separation therefrom.

Abstract: A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) passing a gas at an elevated temperature through a bed of composite agglomerates that are formed from metal oxides and solid carbonaceous material and thereby reducing metal oxides in the agglomerates to metal and melting the metal; and (b) collecting the molten metal from the agglomerates.

Abstract: A process for recovering valuable metals from an iron dust using a shaft furnace is disclosed. The iron dust is agglomerated and supplied into a the shaft furnace together with a lump coke and a flux. Valuable metal oxides contained in the iron dust are reduced in this shaft furnace. Volatile metals containing zinc and lead among the valuable metals thus reduced are volatilized within the shaft furnace and reoxidized, and then discharged from the shaft furnace together with an exhaust gas so as to be recovered as a crude zinc oxide. The reduced metal iron and slag are accumulated on a bottom portion of the shaft furnace in their molten states, and then separated and recovered.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for producing ferrous or non-ferrous metals from a charge formed by self-reducing agglomerates (comprising pulverized ores, carbonaceous material plus a binder) consisting the apparatus of a shaft furnace, comprising a cylindrical or conical shaft (3), having, at the top portion thereof, loading gates or devices (1) and an outlet for gases through a chimney (19) or a chamber leading the same to heat regenerators (9) to pre-heat blown-in air and also having one or more rows of tuyeres (15) for blowing air; and a cylindrical or conical hearth (5) having a diameter greater than that of shaft (3) by an amount sufficient for positioning fuel feeders (4) directly over a fuel bed; and on the lower part, one or more rows of tuyeres (13) distributed so as to blow air oxygen enriched or not and injecting or not liquid gaseous, or pulverized fuels, this same apparatus being capable of melting 100% metallic charges of any metal and alloys or different proportions of metallic forms and self-reducing

Abstract: A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting.

Abstract: A process and arrangement are provided for the efficient generation of energy from coal, while at the same time providing for a relatively inexpensive step in processing of iron or steel, and the extraction of valuable materials such as oils from coal. An advantage to the process is that relatively low quality coals can be utilized, since the coal is pretreated before any burning operation. Generally, the process involves three interacting stages. In the First Stage, a coal liquefaction/pyrolysis procedure is utilized to drive off volatiles, and form a very low volatile char. The volatiles can be collected and utilized as a valuable oil product, such as for diesel fuel or the like. The char material is preferably pelletized and utilized as a reductant, in a Second Stage of iron reduction and melting.