Method for producing melt iron

Method for producing molten pig iron comprising the following steps:

• (a) reduction of iron ore particles to form pre-reduced iron containing surplus free carbon, said reduction step comprising the following steps:
• (a1) iron ore is introduced into a multiple-hearth furnace with several superimposed hearths and it is deposited on the uppermost hearth of the multiple-hearth furnace,
• (a2) the iron ore is gradually transferred to the lower hearths,
• (a3) a carbon-containing reducing agent is added to one or more of the lower hearths in sufficient amounts to reduce the iron ore and to ensure that there is surplus free carbon,
• (a4) the multiple-hearth furnace is heated and the iron ore is reduced on contact with the carbon-containing reducing agent and the gases produced by the carbon-containing reducing agent at adequate temperatures,
• (a5) the excess gas produced by the carbon-containing reducing agent is burnt in the upper part of the multiple-hearth furnace and advantage is taken of the resultant heat to dry and pre-heat the iron ore,
• (b) transfer while hot of the pre-reduced iron to a melting furnace,
• (c) melting of the pre-reduced iron in a melting furnace in order to obtain the molten pig iron, wherein the gases from the melting furnace are not injected into the multiple-hearth furnace.