Modified induction furnace and process for removing zinc-containing metallurgical waste, with recovery of the metals therefrom
AssigneeConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas
InventorMiguel Fernández López
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Abstract
The present invention is based on a novel electric induction furnace design that enables the removal of zinc-containing filter dust (FD) originating from the production of steel (alloy or non-alloy) and the production of cast iron with galvanized steel scrap, using a novel process based on the carbothermal reduction of the metal oxides present in the FD, performed at the temperature at which the materials are melted inside the electric induction furnace. The electric induction furnace of the invention incorporates an electric arc or plasma beam generator to melt all the inorganic non-metallic material. The incorporation of this generator also enables the use of large volumes of molten slag.
Claims12
A modified induction furnace for removing zinc-containing filter dust, comprising:
- i) a second lid that is moving and interchangeable with a first lid of an electric induction furnace itself, having the necessary orifices to bring the material contained inside the furnace in contact with a fume purification facility, with an agglomerate and coal feeding system, and with a molten coating bath control means;
- ii) an electric arc or direct-current plasma beam generator, having
- (a) a vertically displaceable mobile cathode installed on the moving second lid itself, formed from a graphite rod, and
- (b) an anode made of an electrically conducting material inserted into the furnace wall, in contact with a molten material;
- iii) additional capacity of the furnace crucible for containing a greater volume of molten material necessary for working with large amounts of slag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.