Abstract: A process for roasting of metal concentrate wherein concentrate particles are fed into a roaster where they are thermally treated at a temperature in the range of 500 and 1200° C. in a fluidized bed to form a calcine. At least parts of the calcine are withdrawn from the roaster together with a gas stream as a solid fraction. Concentrate particles with a diameter at least 50% smaller than the average diameter of the concentrate particles are separated as small particles and/or particles from the gas-solid-fraction are separated in at least one step as small calcine particles and/or particles are gained in another hydrometallurgical step as other particles. Defined particles are pelletized, whereby at least 80% of the pellets feature a diameter of at least 80% of the concentrate particles average diameter. The pellets are fed into the roaster.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that converts iron ore into reduced materials by reducing and plasticizing the iron ore, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced materials are charged and oxygen is injected such that the melter-gasifier manufactures molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a gas injector that injects a gas into the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to remove stagnating layers.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing molten iron includes i) at least one fluidized-bed reduction reactor that reduces and plasticizes iron ore and converts the iron ore into reduced materials, ii) a melter-gasifier into which the reduced ore is charged and oxygen is injected, the melter-gasifier manufacturing molten iron, and iii) a reducing gas supply line that supplies a reducing gas discharged from the melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reduction reactor. The fluidized-bed reduction reactor includes a cyclone that is installed in the fluidized-bed reduction reactor to collect fine iron ore. A gas injector, which prevents the fine ore from adhering by injecting gas containing carbon, is connected to the cyclone.

Abstract: A method for recovery of metals from essentially metallic fines comprises the following steps: supplying said essentially metallic fines to a flame of a burner (20), bringing said fines to agglomerate by means of heat from the flame without essentially changing the chemical composition thereof, thereby providing an essentially metallic agglomerated product. The agglomerated product is subsequently recovered, preferably in a furnace (30). By means of the method, the recovery of metals is facilitated. An apparatus for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Granular ore or ore concentrate is charged into a furnace for calcining the ore at temperatures of 400 to 1050° C., the ore forming a stationary fluidized bed in the furnace. The ore is thrown onto the fluidized bed through an opening in the furnace housing disposed above the fluidized bed, the ore being accelerated by blades of a rotating impeller. The impeller is disposed outside the furnace in the vicinity of the opening of the housing. Preferably, the rotational speed of the impeller is variable, and the impeller is movable and/or pivotable with respect to the furnace.

Abstract: A method of processing flue dust that contains one or more compounds from a first group of zinc, lead and cadmium compounds, and contains iron compounds, involves heating the flue dust to cause a substantial portion of one or more of the compounds of the first group to become gas-borne. A carbonaceous material is introduced to the remaining flue dust, and the flue dust/carbonaceous material mixture is heated to cause a substantial portion of the remaining compounds from the first group to become gas-borne while retaining a substantial portion of the iron in a non-gas-borne condition. The gas-borne compounds are separated from the non-gas-borne compounds.

Abstract: A method of processing flue dust, where the flue dust contains one or more compounds from a first group of zinc, lead and cadmium compounds, and contains one or more compounds from a second group of iron, silicon, calcium, magnesium and aluminum compounds, includes mixing the flue dust with a carbonaceous material, heating the flue dust/carbonaceous material mixture under non-turbulent conditions to cause a substantial portion of the compounds from the first group to become gas-borne while retaining a substantial portion of the compounds of the second group in a non-gas-borne condition, and separating the gas-borne compounds from the non-gas-borne compounds.

Abstract: A method of processing flue dust that contains one or more compounds from a first group of zinc, lead and cadmium compounds, and contains iron compounds, involves heating the flue dust to cause a substantial portion of one or more of the compounds of the first group to become gas-borne. A carbonaceous material is introduced to the remaining flue dust, and the flue dust/carbonaceous material mixture is heated to cause a substantial portion of the remaining compounds from the first group to become gas-borne while retaining a substantial portion of the iron in a non-gas-borne condition. The gas-borne compounds are separated from the non-gas-borne compounds.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a fluidized bed in a fluidized bed roasting process for metal sulphide concentrate comprises the step of controlling the particle size distribution of the particulate material in the bed so that a minimum amount of no less than about 30% of the concentrate falls in a size range of from about 100 to about 420 microns. The minimum amount preferably falls in the range of from about 35% to about 40%. In one embodiment of the invention the particle size distribution is controlled by maintaining the amount of lead in the concentrate in a range from about 3% to about 4%, preferably 3.7% to about 3.8%. In another embodiment the particle size distribution is controlled by using a pelletized feed or by the combination of the steps of using a pelletized feed and regulating the lead content of the concentrate.

Abstract: In a process for treating fine ore, the fine ore is dried by aid of a hot drying gas flowing around the ore particles of the fine ore, the drying gas, after having flown around the ore particles, is purified while releasing entrained dust ore particles and the dust ore particles are collected and admixed to the dried fine ore. In order to avoid process disturbances in the further processing of fine ore due to excessive portions of dust ore particles present within the fine ore,drying is effected in the whirl-bed, i.e., fluidized-bed method under simultaneous wind-screening of the fine ore, whereinthe drying gas is passed through the fine ore under formation of a whirl bed andthe speed of the drying gas is fixed at a rate at which entraining of dust ore particles having dimensions below a predetermined dimension is effected, andthat the dust ore particles entrained by the drying gas are separated, collected and admixed to the dried fine ore in dosed amounts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of decontaminating metal (especially aluminum or aluminum alloy) scrap contaminated with organic material. The problem with such methods is that undue oxidation of the metal may take place as the decontamination proceeds, leading to reduced recovery rates. The process involves heating the scrap in a fluidized bed of solid particles fluidized by a fluidizing gas to a decontaminating temperature high enough to consume the organic material but below the melting point of the metal. The heating step is carried out in the presence of a protective material which protects the aluminum or aluminum alloy against substantial oxidation while the scrap is held in the bed at the decontaminating temperature. Preferred protective materials include organic and inorganic fluorine-containing compounds, particularly AIF.sub.3. The process is particularly effective for the treatment of aluminum alloys containing magnesium, which are especially susceptible to oxidation.