Method and an apparatus for producing metals and metal alloys
AssigneeTechnological Resouces Pty. Ltd.
InventorRodney James Dry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of partially pre-reducing the metal oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 60% in one or more pre-reduction stages. Thereafter, the method comprises completely reducing the metal oxides and melting the metal in a smelt reduction stage. The method is further characterized by carrying out at least one of the pre-reduction stages with one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas as a source of reductant.
Claims8
A method of producing iron and iron-containing alloys from iron oxides comprising:
- (i) partially pre-reducing iron oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 11% in a first pre-reduction vessel using off gas that is produced in a smelt reduction vessel as a source of reductant;
- (ii) pre-reducing the partially reduced iron oxides from the first pre-reduction stage to at least 60% in a second pre-reduction vessel using one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas as a source of reductant;
- and
- (iii) transferring the pre-reduced iron oxides to the smelt reduction vessel containing a molten bath of iron and slag and completely reducing the iron oxides and producing molten iron.
A system for producing iron and iron-containing alloys from iron oxides which comprises:
- a first pre-reduction vessel for carrying out pre-reduction of the iron oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 11%;
- a second pre-reduction vessel connected to said first pre-reduction vessel and receiving therefrom the partially reduced iron oxides, said second pre-reduction vessel designed to pre-reduce the partially reduced iron oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 60%;
- a feed line connected to said second pre-reduction vessel for feeding one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas to said second pre-reduction vessel;
- and
- a metallurgical vessel connected to said second pre-reduction vessel for receiving the partly reduced iron oxides from said second pre-reduction vessel and melting and reducing the partly reduced iron oxides to molten iron, said metallurgical vessel including a feed line connected to said first pre-reduction vessel for feeding off gas from said metallurgical vessel to said first pre-reduction vessel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.