GB1090826A - Method of smelting iron ore - Google Patents

Abstract

Iron ore and flux in a size range generally less than 1/4 " are introduced into an oxy-fuel flame in the direction thereof, the molten product being collected and a reducing agent injected below its surface to produce molten slag and iron which are separately withdrawn from the reduction vessel. In the particular embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the ore and flux pass firstly through a fluidized bed pre-heater 10 and then through the central tube 15a of burner 16, while oxygen and fuel gas are supplied to the outer and intermediate passages 18 and 19 respectively. The molten ore and flux then pass to reduction chamber 25 where a carbonaceous reducing agent is injected through tuyeres 28. The gases evolved in the reaction are partly burnt above the bath with oxygen admitted through pipes 29, to provide heat for the reduction, and are then led through pipe 21 to burner 16, the exhaust gases from which are used to heat the ore in pre-heater 10. If necessary additional fuel may be fed to the burner through pipe 20. To minimize the attack of molten iron oxide on the refractory lining of the apparatus, water sprays are applied to the outer surfaces of the latter so that a layer oxide is solidified on the refractory. In a modification using hydrogen as a reducing agent, the gases leaving the reducing chamber are recirculated after purification and the addition of fresh hydrogen, while the burned is fuelled independently.