GB384327A - Improvements in method of and apparatus for reducing metals from their oxides - Google Patents

Abstract

384,327. Extracting metals. GRANT, W. M., 3930, Glenwood Avenue, Birming- ham, Alabama, U.S.A. May 19, 1931, No. 14771. [Classes 72 and 82 (i).] A method of reducing metals, particularly iron and copper, from their oxides comprises mixing the oxide-containing material and a gas in such proportions that the mixture has the properties of a viscous fluid, and passing the mixture in the presence of carbonaceous material through a heated zone for the reduction. In one form of apparatus for conducting the process a mixture of oxides and carbonaceous material is fed by gravity from a bin 1 into a barrel 3 having a propelling screw 4, and then enters a pipe 7 into which also the gas, which is preferably carbon monoxide or the gas from a previous reduction, enters from a ring 8 which is in connection with a gas reservoir. Perforations 13 in the pipe 7 communicate with the ring 8. The viscous column of gas and material under pressure from the propeller 4 passes through a continuation pipe 18 enclosed in a furnace 14, where the reduction takes place. The products are discharged into a settling chamber 20, the gas passing to a main 22 while the solids are cooled by a water jacket 24, and removed by a screw 25. A float 27 controls the discharge of the solids. In operation the chamber 20 is initially half filled with previously treated material, all air is excluded from the system and replaced by gas, and the entire system is heated to reduction temperature. Gas is turned on by a valve 12 and the material in bin 1 is fed by the screw 4.