Vessel for containing direct reduced iron

A vessel for containing direct reduced iron (DRI), comprising at least an upper zone (11), defined by a first lateral wall (13) having a substantially cylindrical tubular shape, and a discharge zone (12), positioned below said upper zone (11) and defined by a second lateral wall (16) having a substantially truncated cone shape converging toward a lower discharge aperture (15), said second lateral wall (16) having an internal surface at least partly lined by an internal lining (22), wherein said internal lining (22) comprises at least a first layer (23) of a composite ceramic material comprising a mixture of alumina, in the form of corundum (Al2O3), zircon oxide (zirconia —ZrO2) and silica (SiO2), said internal lining (22) having a surface with a surface hardness greater than or equal to 8.5 on the Mohs scale so as to reduce the friction coefficient of said second lateral wall (16) and increase the ability of said DRI to slide toward said discharge aperture (15), wherein said ceramic material comprises at least a quantity of corundum (Al2O3) comprised between 40% and 60% in weight, wherein said ceramic material comprises at least a quantity of zircon oxide (ZrO2) comprised between 25% and 40% in weight, and wherein said ceramic material comprises at least a quantity of silica (SiO2) comprised between 10% and 20%.