GB392259A - Improvements in or relating to the production of metal sponge - Google Patents

Abstract

392,259. Producing metal sponge. KRUPP GRUSONWERK AKT.-GES., F., Buckau, Magdeburg, Germany. Dec. 15, 1931, No. 34757. Convention date, Dec. 18, 1930. [Classes 72 and 82 (i).] In the production of metal sponge, particularly iron sponge, in a rotary furnace 1 by a process in which the combustion, in the normal oxidizing furnace atmosphere, of the reduction gases resulting from the admixture with the charge of reducing material, such as solid or liquid fuel or carbides, and the superficial combustiori of the admixed material provide the greater part of the necessary heat, the cooling of the reduced material is effected in a helical chamber 9 disposed around the outer jacket of the furnace and cooled externally by a water spray 10. The inlet 6 to the helix 9 communicates with a muffle 4 which may be constitued either by a helical tube secured within the furnace or, as shown, by an axially disposed conduit, and which serves in its lower part to complete the reduction and in its upper part to effect a preliminary heating of the fresh material supplied from the hopper 2. The material is transferred from the main furnace chamber to the lower end of the muffle by a scoop 5 and is caused to travel upwardly to the outlet 6 by a worm 7. Reducing gas from an external source may be supplied to the muffle which is provided with spaced outlets 8 through which surplus gases escape to the main furnace chamber.