Production of low carbon chromium iron alloys from chromite concentrates

US10006104B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KWG RESOURCES, INC. · CA

Inventor

• Frank Winter · Mühlheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 21, 2014
• Grant date: Jun 26, 2018
• Expiry date: Jul 26, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/20
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for producing low carbon chromium iron alloys directly from chromite concentrates wherein superheated liquid aluminum is flowed in a controlled manner into a reaction vessel preheated to a temperature of approximately 1,000° C. while simultaneously feeding chromite concentrates preheated to a temperature in the same range at a controlled rate into the preheated reaction vessel. The ratio of chromite to aluminum is controlled to be at or above the stoichiometric ratio required to reduce the oxide from chromium and iron to low carbon ferrochrome alloy. Burnt lime is continuously added to the vessel in an amount sufficient to form and flux a slag of the eutectic composition known as calcium aluminate.