Process for the production of carburized sponge iron

Abstract

A process for the production of carburized sponge iron, including charging iron ore into a direct reduction shaft, and/or discharging carburized sponge iron from the direct reduction shaft, whereby a seal gas is introduced into the direct reduction shaft; removing a top gas from the direct reduction shaft; recycling a proportion of the top gas and mixing with a make-up gas to form a reducing gas; and introducing the reducing gas into the direct reduction shaft in countercurrent flow to the iron ore in order to reduce the iron ore and produce carburized sponge iron. The seal gas consists essentially of carbon dioxide, and the make-up gas comprises greater than 80 vol % hydrogen gas. Also provided is a system for the production of carburized sponge iron, as well as a carburized sponge iron produced by the aforementioned process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.