US 4,579,588 AGranted

Method for the production of liquid iron from iron oxide

AssigneeHoogovens Groep B.V.

InventorJean M. van Langen

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Abstract

Method and apparatus for producing liquid iron from iron oxide, wherein the iron oxide is substantially converted to sponge iron by passing reducing gas through it in a reduction column and is then melted in a melt vessel which is in open communication with the reduction column by heat generated by reaction of oxygen-containing gas and carbonaceous material which reaction provides said reducing gas. To improve control of the process, the oxygen-containing gas and the carbonaceous material are respectively substantially pure oxygen and coal powder which are delivered separately into the melt vessel, and the liquid iron bath in the melt vessel is stirred so as at least partly to be kept in motion. By separate control of the oxygen and coal supplies, e.g. the level and/or direction of delivery, and by control of stirring, it is possible to control the ratio of CO and CO.sub.2 in the reducing gas and also the heat output in the melt vessel.

Claims6

Dependent claims

Method of producing liquid iron from iron oxide during passage of the iron oxide through a reduction column into a melt vessel, comprising the steps of

(a) substantially converting the iron oxide to sponge iron by passing reducing gas containing CO, H.sub.2, CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O through the iron oxide in the reduction column,
(b) feeding the sponge iron from the reduction column into a melt vessel which is in open communication with the reduction column,
(c) delivering pure oxygen-containing gas and carbonaceous material containing coal powder separately into the melt vessel above the level of the liquid iron bath therein thereby melting the sponge iron in the melt vessel by heat generated by reaction of substantially pure oxygen and coal powder which reaction provides said reducing gas,
(d) stirring the liquid iron bath in the melt vessel during said melting step so as at least partly to keep it in motion,
(e) adjusting, during operation, the level and/or direction of delivery of at least one of the oxygen and the coal powder into the melt vessel and also adjusting, during operation, the amount of stirring of the iron bath so as to control the ratio of CO and CO.sub.2 in the said reducing gas produced by the said reaction, and
(f) tapping the liquid iron off from the melt vessel.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 06/714,350Filed 21 Mar 1985 · continuation
Priority: NL 820194512 May 1982
Granted: 1 Apr 1986
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

C21B 13/06
Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes: in multi-storied furnaces
C21B 13/14
Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes: multi-stage processes processes carried out in different vessels or furnaces
Y02P 10/122
Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions: by capturing or storing CO2
Y02P 10/134
Reduction of greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions: by avoiding CO2, e.g. using hydrogen