MX2013001590A

MX2013001590A - Composite products and manufacturing method.

Info

Publication number: MX2013001590A
Application number: MX2013001590A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Paul James O'kane; Catherine Louise Skidmore
Original assignee: Onesteel Nsw Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-08-09
Filing date: 2011-08-01
Publication date: 2013-10-28
Also published as: EP2603617A1; BR112013003261A2; KR20130103716A; CN103429768A; US20160281013A9; EA201390205A1; AU2011288959B2; US20160075959A1; EP2603617A4; EA026994B1; AU2011288959A1; CA2807744A1; ZA201301145B; US20130228044A1; CN103429768B; WO2012019216A1; JP2013533366A

Abstract

A composite product and a method of manufacturing the composite product are disclosed. The composite product includes (a) a polymeric material binder and a metal- bearing material or (b) the polymeric material binder and a carbon-bearing material. The 5 method includes heating and mixing the components of the composite product and thereafter forming the heated mixture into a final product shape, with the heating step being sufficient to melt at least a part of the polymeric material binder to facilitate forming the product.

Description

COMPOSITE PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to composite products and to a method of manufacturing the products.

In particular, the present invention relates, but not exclusively, to composite products that are manufactured from recycled products.

In particular, the present invention relates, but not exclusively, to composite products that are suitable for use in high temperature methods.

The term "high temperature methods" is understood to mean in the present methods operating at a temperature greater than 400 ° C, typically at least 600 ° C.

Examples of high temperature methods are methods that are carried out in metallurgical furnaces, such as steelmaking ovens. In these methods, the composite products of the present invention are intended to provide one or more of the metal carrying units and an energy source.

Other examples of high temperature methods are the methods that are carried out at power stations and furnaces, such as cement kilns, which require heat to be generated by fossil fuels or Ref. : 239196 engineering. In these methods, the composite products of the present invention are intended to provide a source of energy as a replacement for fossil fuels.

The present invention is not confined to composite products that are suitable for use in high temperature methods. By way of example, the composite products of the present invention are suitable for use as building materials or as protective materials for construction materials and wear resistant (eg, for wear resistance and corrosion resistance), such as alternatives for wood construction products and steel products.

The present invention is based on the use of a polymeric material as a binder to hold the particles together of a material carrying a metal and / or a carbon-bearing material, in a composite product comprising: (a) the polymeric material and the material that carries a metal or (b) the polymeric material and the material that carries carbon or (c) the polymeric material and the material that carries a metal and the material that carries carbon.

The present invention is also based on the manufacture of these composite products by a combination of heating and mixing the components of the composite product, the heating step being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the binder of the polymeric material to facilitate the formation of the products.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a composite product in the form of: (a) a binder of polymeric material and a metal-bearing material or (b) the binder of the polymeric material and a carbon-bearing material, which comprises heating and mixing the components of the composite product and subsequently forming the heated mixture into a final product form, the heating step being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the binder of the polymeric material to facilitate the formation of the product.

The heating and mixing steps can be carried out in the order described in the preceding paragraph or in the reverse order or simultaneously.

The term "material carrying a metal" is understood herein as any material that can be processed in a high temperature method, such as a high temperature metallurgical method carried out in a metallurgical furnace to produce a metal product. The term "metal" is understood herein to include metal alloys. The manufacture of steel, particularly electric arc steel fabrication, is a metallurgical method of particular interest to the applicant. Other metallurgical methods include, by way of example, basic oxygen steelmaking and ironmaking methods. The present invention is not confined to metallurgical methods at high temperature. The material that carries a metal can be a recycled material.

The method for manufacturing the composite product comprising the binder of the polymeric material and the metal-containing material, may include mixing other materials, such as materials that are carbon sources other than the binder of the polymeric material, with the material that carries a metal and the polymeric material.

The other carbon sources may comprise one or more of biomass, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, toner of printers and photocopying machines and any other suitable organic material. It is noted that typically, in addition to containing carbon in the form of carbon black, the toner contains particles containing metals (iron oxides) and polymeric material. The other carbon sources can be recycled materials. The other carbon sources can be virgin materials.

The other materials may include quicklime, dolomite and magnesite.

The method may comprise controlling the method and selection of the metal carrying material (when present), the carbon carrying material (when present) and the binder of the polymeric material to produce a product having a required porosity. There may be situations in which it is desirable that the product is not porous. There may be other situations where the preferred chemical reactions in the high temperature method, such as a high temperature metallurgical method, may make it desirable for the product to have a level of porosity. For example, it may be desirable for chemical reactions to be carried out within the product inside the furnace, in which case a level of porosity may be desirable to facilitate the escape of the volatilized reaction products.

The method may comprise mixing the material carrying a metal and the binder of the polymeric material, so that there is a uniform dispersion of the material that carries a metal through the product.

The method may comprise mixing the carbon-bearing material and the binder of the polymeric material, so that there is a uniform dispersion of the material that carries carbon through the product.

The method may comprise heating the mixture of the components of the product to a temperature that is high enough to completely melt the binder of the polymeric material. The temperature can be any appropriate temperature, having considered the particular selection of the binder of the polymeric material, the other components of the mixture and the requirements of the particular method to form the composite product. By way of example, in the case of a binder of the polymeric material in the form of low density polyethylene, the temperature is typically of the order of 150-175 ° C.

The method can comprise selecting the material that carries a metal and the material that carries carbon, so that these materials remain as solids during the heating step.

The method may comprise controlling the method and selection of the metal carrying material (how much is present), the carbon carrying material (when present) and the binder of the polymeric material, to produce a product having a required density. For example, when the product is a feedstock for a steelmaking process, it may be preferred that the product have a density that allows the product to float in a pool of molten metal that is formed in the process.

The material that carries a metal and the material that carries carbon can be in a particulate form.

As a particular example, which is relevant to steelmaking methods, the metal carrying material may be in the form of iron-bearing particles.

The particles that carry iron can be in the form of fines.

By way of particular example, the iron-bearing particles may be in the form of rolling shell fines or filter bag or other by-products of a steelmaking plant or an ironmaking plant.

In the context of iron-carrying particles for use in steelmaking in an electric arc steelmaking furnace, the term "fines" is meant herein as the particles having a main dimension less than 6mm .

In a broad context of metal carrying particles for use in high temperature methods in metallurgical furnaces, the term "fines" is understood to mean particles having a main dimension of less than 6 mm.

The use of the polymeric material as a binder for the metal-containing or carbon-containing materials in the composite product of the present invention is not confined to the composite products for the high-temperature methods carried out in the metallurgical furnaces and extends to the high temperature methods which, in general, require the composite product of the invention. In this context, the present invention is not confined to fines and extends to metal carrying and carbon bearing materials, having a main dimension greater than 6 mm.

The binder of the polymeric material can be any suitable material. An important requirement of the binder of the polymeric material is that it is capable of acting as a binder of the other components of the composite product under the handling of the specified materials and the operating conditions of the product. By way of example, the specified conditions may include storage for extended periods in the outer atmosphere. As an additional example, the specified conditions may include the handling requirements of the particular materials for the product.

The binder of the polymeric material can be a recycled polymeric material.

The binder of the polymeric material can be a recycled polyethylene, such as a low density polyethylene or a high density polypropylene or a recycled polypropylene.

The carbon bearing material may be in the form of biomass, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, used toner of printers and photocopying machines and any other suitable organic material. The material that carries carbon can be recycled materials. The material that carries carbon can be virgin materials.

The method can include any appropriate training step to form a final product form.

The forming step can be any extrusion step, a molding step (which includes injection molding) and briquette formation or another type of pressing step.

By way of example, the forming step can include forming the heated mixture in the composite product by extruding the heated mixture.

The extrudate may be in the final product form. Alternatively, it may be necessary to cut the extrudate to form the final product form. For example, the forming step can include forming a continuous extrudate and subsequently cutting the extrudate as it exits the extruder in the form of the final product.

In a situation where the extrudate exits the extruder as a continuous "rope" (small or large cross section), the method may include cutting the rope into smaller lengths, whereby the smaller lengths of the extrudate form the product .

The shape of the final product can be any appropriate shape and any appropriate size.

The shape and size of the shape of the final product can be determined having considered the handling of the materials and the process requirements for the metallurgical method and the metallurgical furnace, in which the product will be used.

The product can be in the form of pellets.

The product can be in the form of granules.

The product can be in the form of larger products that can be described as, blocks, ingots, empanadas, plugs and disks.

The largest product can have a main dimension of at least 10 cm.

The largest product can have a main dimension of at least 15 cm.

The largest product can be at least 1 kg. The largest product can be at least 2 kg.

The largest product can be at least 3 kg. The largest product can be less than 10 kg.

In any given situation, factors that affect the shape and size of the product may include the following factors.

• The product should have sufficient strength and hardness to be handled within a high temperature processing plant, such as a metallurgical plant and charged in a high temperature furnace, such as a metallurgical furnace in the plant, without interruption significant product in smaller sized products, with the generation of fines outside and / or inside the oven.

• The product should be sufficiently large and have the required mechanical properties, such as strength to overcome the high temperature and the reaction conditions in the high-temperature furnace, such as the metallurgical furnace, to facilitate the controlled dissolution of the product in the furnace for a period of time required. Depending on the high temperature method, this period of time may be a relatively short period of time or a longer period of time. The required dissolution rate may vary depending on the requirements of the chemical reaction of the high temperature method and the overall time period of the method. For example, in some methods, it may be important to have the combustion of the fuel components in the product as soon as possible. In other situations, it may be important to have the relatively slow dissolution of the product, so that there is a consumption of the product during the overall operation period of the method.

The present invention also provides a composite product comprising a material that carries a metal and a polymeric material that acts as a binder for the material that carries a metal.

The product described in the preceding paragraph may include other materials, such as materials that are carbon sources other than the binder of the polymeric material.

The present invention also provides a composite product comprising a carbon-bearing material and a polymeric material that acts as a binder for the carbon-bearing material.

The product described in the previous paragraph may include other materials, such as a material that carries a metal.

The product may comprise a continuous network of the polymeric material and a uniform dispersion of the material carrying a metal or the carbon-bearing material.

The product can be a porous product.

The product can be a non-porous product, and therefore, be at least substantially impermeable to water. This is an advantageous feature in situations where any of one or more components of the product is prone to pick up moisture while being stacked or transported. For example, this is particularly the case with products that include biomass as the material that carries the product's carbon.

The product may comprise an outer cover of the polymeric material.

The cover can make the product non-porous.

In addition or alternatively, the cover can encapsulate the fines in the product and minimize the release of the fines during the handling and transportation of materials.

In any given situation, the relative amounts of the polymeric binder material, the metal-bearing material (when present), the carbon-bearing material (when present), and other materials will be a function of factors, such as the requirements of binder for composite products, the requirement of materials that carry metals in a terminal application for the products and the energy requirements for the products in the terminal application.

The binder of the polymeric material may comprise more than 10% by weight of the product.

The binder of the polymeric material may comprise more than 15% by weight of the product.

The binder of the polymeric material may comprise less than 50% by weight of the product.

The binder of the polymeric material may comprise less than 45% by weight of the product.

The binder of the polymeric material may have a vaporization temperature lower than the temperature of a molten bath in the metallurgical furnace.

The binder of the polymeric material can be a recycled polymeric material.

The binder of the polymeric material can be recycled polyethylene, such as a low density polyethylene or a high density polyethylene or a recycled polypropylene.

The material that carries a metal can be in the form of iron-bearing particles.

The particles that carry iron can be in the form of fines.

The particles that carry iron can be in the form of iron oxide particles.

The iron-bearing particles may be in the form of laminate shell fines and / or filter bag or other byproducts of a steelmaking plant.

The product that carries carbon may be in the form of biomass particles, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, used toner of printers and photocopying machines and any other suitable organic material. The material that carries carbon can be recycled materials. The material that carries carbon can be virgin materials.

The product can be manufactured entirely from recycled materials, each of the polymeric binder material and the metal-bearing material (when present) and the carbon-bearing material (when present) being recycled materials.

Recycled materials can be obtained from any appropriate source.

By way of example, the metal bearing units can be in the form of rolling shell fines, the binder of the polymeric material in the form of recycled polyethylene and the carbon bearing units can be in the form of coke or rubber fines recycled The product can be of any size and shape. The shape and size of the product can be as described above.

The product may be suitable for use in a high temperature method.

The product may be suitable for use as a source of energy as a replacement for fossil fuels in power stations and furnaces, such as cement kilns, and other applications that require heat to be generated by fossil fuels. When used as a source of energy, the product can be described as an "engineering fuel".

The product may be suitable for use as building materials or as protective materials for building materials (for example, for wear resistance or corrosion resistance) or as protective materials for mining consumables (for example, for wear resistance or consumable parts of mining for mineral processing or mining extraction equipment), such as alternatives for wood products and steel products.

The present invention also provides a high temperature method comprising supplying the composite product described above, containing units carrying metals and carbon bearing units and a binder of the polymeric material as a feedstock for the method.

The high temperature method can be a method for producing a molten metal (such term includes a metal alloy, including an iron alloy) in a metallurgical furnace.

The method can be a method to produce steel. The steelmaking method can be a method of manufacturing electric arc steel.

Steel fabrication can be a basic oxygen steel fabrication method.

The method can be a method to produce iron. The present invention is based on a mode of the applicant during the course of an investigation and development project that is possible to produce a composite product, comprising units carrying metals, more particularly, units carrying iron in the form of shell fines. of lamination, and a binder of the polymeric material in the form of recycled low density polyethylene, which is very suitable in terms of material handling, chemistry and processing properties for use in a method of manufacturing electric arc steel. In particular, the applicant found during the course of the project, that the polymeric material acted as an effective binder for the fines that carry iron in the composite product and provided a source of energy.

The present invention is also based on a mode of the applicant during the course of the project, that it is possible to produce a composite product comprising carbon bearing units in the form of coke fines and a binder of the polymeric material in the form of low polyethylene. density, recycled, which is very appropriate in terms of material handling, chemistry and processing properties for use in an electric arc furnace steel manufacturing method.

The present invention is also based on a mode of the applicant during the course of the project, which is possible hot form, eg by hot extrusion, of the mixtures of the carbon bearing units described above and / or the carbon bearing units. and the binder of the polymeric material, at temperatures in which at least part of the binder of the polymeric material has melted and the other components of the mixture remained as solids in an effective method to produce composite products with the handling of the required materials, chemistry and processing properties for use in an electric arc furnace steel manufacturing method.

The present invention is also based on a mode of the applicant during the course of the project, that the compound product based on a metal and the carbon-based composite product of the invention, has wider terminal uses than steelmaking. . In particular, the Applicant has developed that the carbon-based composite product of the invention has applications as a replacement for fossil fuels in power stations and furnaces, such as cement kilns, and other applications that require heat to generated by fossil fuels or engineering.

The research and development project included laboratory work in a wide range of products having 10-45% by weight of a polymeric material in the form of low density polyethylene, according to the present invention.

Laboratory work included work on composite products that comprise a material that carries a metal, specifically that carries iron, in the form of rolling shell and polymeric material in the above ranges. Laboratory work found almost 100% reduction of iron oxide in these products to melt iron.

Laboratory work also included work on composite products comprising a material that carries carbon in the form of coke fines and polymeric material in the above ranges.

An example of the product had a composition of 24% by weight of low density polyethylene binder, 1% by weight of processing aid, 75% by weight of coke fines and another carbon-bearing material.

The research and development project also included a test of 1 ton of a sample composition of the product of the present invention in an electric arc steelmaking furnace of the applicant.

The product of the sample for the test was successfully extruded in a standard commercial hot extruder.

The continuous "rope" that was produced by the extruder was formed into large "pie" shapes, of the order of 3 kg.

The product of the sample had a composition of 24% by weight of low density polyethylene, 1% by weight of processing aid, 7% by weight of coke and 68% by weight of lamination shell. 1 ton of the product empanadas were loaded into a hot heel of the electric arc furnace. The effect of the addition of the product charge was monitored by means of cameras and the registered standard data of the chemistry and the parameters of the method of operation.

The heat balance for the addition of sets below.

It is noted that the above heat balance is based on the theoretical data of the standard reference materials and the data obtained from an applicant's electric arc steel manufacturing plant in NSW, Australia.

Some key findings of the test are as follows: • The product empanadas were a source of energy.

· The product empanadas were magnetic - therefore, the empanadas could be handled using a standard oven waste magnetic crane - -500 kg / load.

• The product empanadas were hard - without breaking with regular blocks.

· The product empanadas were impervious to water - without appreciable weight gain submerged in water for 1 week.

• The product empanadas settled on the slag / bath interface and began to react inside the oven.

· The product empanadas remained intact and reacted at a controlled rate for a prolonged period with some empanadas, lasting > 15 minutes.

• The product empanadas produced a strong generation of heat.

· There was very little steam generation compared to alternative plastic and rubber products.

• The reaction load - without observable change, adding 100 kg, 200 kg and 300 kg / heat in the bottom bucket 1.

The results of the test indicate significant business opportunities based on the composite product of the present invention.

In particular, the applicant became aware of a test, that a composite product of the present invention that is based on a binder of the polymeric material holding the carbon-bearing material together, could be a significant source of energy having wider applications that the steelmaking industry, including these applications a replacement for fossil fuels in power stations and furnaces, such as cement kilns, and other applications that require heat to be generated by fossil fuels or engineering.

In addition, the applicant was aware of the test, that a composite product of the present invention makes it possible to introduce different ratios of steelmaking feedstocks and energy sources in a loading bucket to an electric arc furnace. Therefore, depending on the requirements, there could be more or less of each of the materials that carry iron and other steelmaking feedstocks and the polymeric material (such as a binder and an energy source) in a loading bucket . Therefore, the composite product of the present invention provides an opportunity for flexibility in the supply of feedstocks to a steelmaking process and, in particular, an opportunity to optimize the use of energy.

Another key benefit of the patties of the sample product, which is a benefit that should facilitate the use of the composite product of the invention in electric arc furnaces, and other methods at high temperature is that there is a controlled and measured reaction rate and a generation of heat, due to the physical and chemical composition of the product empanadas. The controlled rate of fuel release causes complete combustion and the use of heat in an oven instead of the non-gas system. Thus, there is a lower risk of high gas pipeline temperatures and leaks from filter bags, as well as unburned fuel or steam in the gas outlet pipe, causing explosions. In the 1 ton test, it was observed that the empanadas of the sample product (~ 3 kg each) took more than 10 minutes to burn when they were added to the hot bead of the oven. This was a key observation and a significant benefit should allow the patties of the sample product to be used as "burners" under the waste load and at a controlled rate during melting, rather than reacting too quickly immediately after loading, and cause steam and flames to come out of the oven. In comparison, when a small amount of plastic film bonded to each other or pieces of rubber tire was added to the furnace, it reacted and burned within a few minutes. The patties of the sample product were observed to burn and keep a strong flame for a long period.

Based on the test, the applicant believes that if the composite product patties are located under the waste in an electric arc furnace, the product patties will potentially provide preheating and will reduce the energy over time and the consumption of electrical energy.

The slowest burn rate of the product patties was controlled in the test due to the nature of the composite compound. The reaction of the binder of the polymeric material or the filler materials (laminating shell and coke fines) with the oxygen was limited to the surface of the product patties due to the low porosity caused by the binder. Therefore, there was very little gas penetration in the product empanadas. The low porosity limited the surface area for the reaction and protected the reactants within the product. There should be a large term gradient from the inside to the surface of the product, with the reaction taking place at or near the surface. There would also be some insulating effect from the gas / vapor / flame layer formed by the combustion and ignition of the polymer at a relatively low temperature (250 to 400 ° C) and the reaction products leaving the surface of the briquette. For example, this should isolate the product patties from the surrounding high temperature steel and slag (1500 - 1750 ° C) and allow the product patties to last longer.

The fuel is released at a controlled rate, and only the one exposed to the surface reacts.

The composite matrix structure of the product patties means that the iron oxide protects the polymeric binder and controls the reaction rate.

If the filler material has a low combustion capacity, then the rate of supply of a "fuel" to the surface where it can contact the oxygen is lower. This is because the iron oxide products (rolling shell) would potentially last more in the liquid metal slag than the briquettes containing combustible filler such as coke or graphite. The same protective effect could be obtained by using other filling materials with a low combustion rate (quicklime, dolomite, filter bag, etc.).

The products also decrease the reaction compared with if the fine materials were added individually. For example, the lamination shell and the coke fines react rapidly or violently through an oxygen and carbon reaction, when they are introduced into a liquid steel bath, due to the high surface area of these materials.

From the above description, the reaction rate could be controlled by varying the composition of the product patties to increase or decrease the filler and binder materials. This could be applied to many pyrometallurgical applications or other high temperature applications. For example, applications include mini-shot furnaces or alternating iron manufacturing processes or incineration processes or power generation processes.

In the context of the electric arc steel manufacturing industry, the test indicated that the composite product of the present invention provides opportunities for the replacement of waste, the use of waste products and byproducts produced in steelmaking plants and in Other industries, the use of feedstocks in the form of fines that would otherwise not be suitable for use in electric arc steel manufacturing furnaces, the use of recycled materials as the binder of the polymeric material and as a source of energy and the opportunity of selective stratification of the charges in an electric arc furnace to optimize the generation of heat and other reactions. The opportunities translate into environmental and financial benefits.

The present invention has the following features and advantages, which are described to a greater degree in the context of the use of the composite product of the invention, in a steelmaking application, but also apply to other terminal uses of the product: · The binder of the polymeric material produces a hard product, and in many cases, a product impervious to water, which means less interruption of product and a longer storage life in the handling of materials.

• There are additional advantages when the product has a cover of the polymeric material that encapsulates the fine and larger particle sizes in the product. The encapsulation of fines and larger sized particles in the polymeric material could make it possible to store the product outside without appreciable moisture accumulation. Also, more generally, the encapsulation provides protection against the accumulation / hydration of moisture when the product is exposed to the atmosphere in any storage situation. In addition, the encapsulation of fines and larger sized particles in the polymeric material can prevent, or at least minimize, the leachate of the product compound. For example, encapsulating the powder of the electric arc furnace containing heavy metals in a composite product of the invention to prevent heavy metal leachate, can be an advantage in the handling, storage and transportation of the product.

• The polymeric material acts as a "clean" binder to carry the fines in a high temperature method. The fines are consumed in the furnace and the binder of the polymeric material leaves the system as a gas (for example, low density polyethylene melts at 115 ° C and evaporates at ~ 350 ° C).

• The carbon and hydrogen components of the binder of the polymeric material can help in combustion / reduction methods.

• The use of polymeric material that acts as a binder could be applied to any appropriate high temperature method and not only to high temperature methods in metallurgical furnaces.

"The hot extrusion process is appropriate for the large-scale and economically viable production of both types of products, that is, a type of product that is based on the material that carries a metal and the other type of product that is based on a carbon carrier material.

· The size control for the binder of the polymeric material is potentially less severe due to melting during the extrusion process.

• The use of hot extrusion technology is potentially applicable to any industry that requires the recovery, transport and processing of fines, including metal-bearing and carbon-bearing fines.

• The product is magnetic when it contains units that carry iron.

• The use of the product in an electric arc steel manufacturing method was positive energy in global terms.

• The use of the product under and within a waste load for an electric arc steel manufacturing method facilitates close contact heating of the waste load and potentially improved heat transfer and efficient energy use.

• The use of a hot extruder makes it possible to use feed materials with higher moisture contents due to heating in the extruder.

«The invention makes it possible to use the feedstocks in the form of fines.

Many modifications can be made to the present invention described above, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. Method for manufacturing a composite product in the form of: (a) a binder of the polymeric material and a metal-bearing material or (b) the binder of the polymeric material and a carbon-bearing material, characterized in that it comprises heating and mixing the components of the composite product and subsequently forming the heated mixture into a final product form, the heating step being sufficient to melt at least a portion of the binder of the polymeric material to facilitate the formation of the product.

2. The method for manufacturing the composite product, characterized in that it comprises the binder of the polymeric material and the metal-bearing material defined according to claim 1, includes mixing other materials, such as the materials that are carbon sources other than the binder of the material polymeric, with the material that carries a metal and the polymeric material.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the other carbon sources comprise any one of one more biomass, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, printer toner, and coke machines. photocopied, and any other appropriate organic material.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises controlling the method and selection of the material that carries a metal (when present), the material that carries carbon (when present) and the binder of the polymeric material to produce a product that has a required porosity.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the product is a non-porous product.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises mixing the material carrying a metal and the binder of the polymeric material so that there is a uniform dispersion of the material carrying a metal through the product.

7. The method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises mixing the carbon-containing material and the binder of the polymeric material so that there is a uniform dispersion of the carbon-containing material through the product.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises heating the mixture of the components of the product to a temperature that is sufficiently high to completely melt the binder of the polymeric material.

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises selecting the material that carries a metal and the material that carries carbon, so that these materials remain as solids during the heating step.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material carrying a metal is in the form of rolling shell fines or filter bag or other byproducts of a steelmaking silver or an ironmaking plant .

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the binder of the polymeric material is a recycled polymeric material, such as a recycled polyethylene, such as a low density polyethylene or a high density polypropylene or a recycled polypropylene.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material that carries carbon is in the form of biomass, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, printer toner and machines of photocopying, and any other appropriate organic material.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes forming the heated mixture in the composite product by extruding the heated mixture.

14. Composite product, characterized in that it comprises a material that carries a metal and a polymeric material that acts as a binder for the material that carries the metal.

15. The product according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises other materials, such as the materials that are sources of carbon different from the binder of the polymeric material.

16. Composite product, characterized in that it comprises a material containing carbon and a polymeric material that acts as a binder for the carbon-containing material.

17. The product according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises other materials, such as a material containing a metal.

18. The product according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that it comprises a continuous network of the polymeric material and a uniform dispersion of the material carrying a metal or the material containing carbon.

19. The product according to any of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it is a non-porous product and, therefore, is at least substantially impermeable to water.

20. The product according to any of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that it comprises an outer cover of the polymeric material.

21. The product according to any of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises more than 10% by weight of the product.

22. The product according to any of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the polymeric material comprises less than 50% by weight of the product.

23. The product according to any of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that the polymeric material is recycled polyethylene, such as a low density polyethylene or a high density polyethylene or a recycled polypropylene.

24. The product according to any of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the material carrying a metal is in the form of rolling shell fines and / or filter bag or other byproducts of a steel manufacturing plant.

25. The product according to any of claims 14 to 24, characterized in that the carbon-bearing material is in the form of biomass particles, combustion ash, rubber, paper, coke fines, carbon fines, coal fines, toner of printers and photocopying machines, and any other appropriate organic material.

26. The product according to any of claims 14 to 25, characterized in that it is made entirely from recycled materials, each of the binder being of the polymeric material and the material that carries a metal (when present) and the carbon-bearing material (when is present) recycled materials.

27. The product according to any of claims 14 to 26, characterized in that it is in the form of pellets, granules, blocks, ingots, empanadas, plugs or disks.

28. The product according to any of claims 14 to 27, characterized in that it has a main dimension of at least 10 cm.

29. The product according to any of claims 14 to 28, characterized in that it is at least 1 kg.

30. Method for producing a molten metal, characterized in that it comprises supplying a composite product according to any of claims 14 to 29 as a feedstock for the method claims, the composite product being formed by the method defined in accordance with any of the claims 1 to 12, with sufficient strength and hardness to be able to be handled within a high temperature processing plant to carry out the method for producing the molten metal and charging in a high temperature furnace in the plant without interruption significant product in smaller sized products, with the generation of fines outside and / or inside the oven.

31. Method for producing a molten metal, characterized in that it comprises supplying the composite product according to any of claims 14 to 29, as a feedstock for the method claims, the composite product being formed by the method defined in accordance with any of claims 1 to 12, to be sufficiently large and have the required mechanical properties, such as resistance to resist high temperature and reactive conditions in a high temperature furnace in a high temperature processing plant, to carry out the method for facilitate the controlled dissolution of the product in the oven for a required period of time.