Back to results
US 4,687,183 AGranted
Apparatus for the production of liquid iron from iron oxide
AssigneeHoogovens Groep B.V.
InventorJean M. van Langen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Loading patent…
Loading patent…
AssigneeHoogovens Groep B.V.
InventorJean M. van Langen
Estimating the term…
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.
Apparatus for producing liquid iron from iron oxide, comprising at least one reduction column for the iron oxide in which the oxide is reduced by gas passed through it, a melt vessel or melting of the reduced sponge iron from the reduction column which vessel is located lower than and in open communication with the reduction column, first feed means for delivering oxygen into the melt vessel above the level of the liquid iron bath in the melt vessel during operation, second feed means separate from said first feed means to deliver coal powder into the melt vessel above the level of the liquid iron bath during operation, and stirring means for maintaining said liquid iron bath at least partly in motion during operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.