Process for the direct reduction of iron ores

US3954444A · kind A · utility

Assignees

• Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG · DE
• Werner Wenzel

Inventors

• Werner Wenzel · Lübeck, DE
• Peter Speich · Cologne, DE
• Friedrich H. Franke · Cologne, DE
• Burkhardt Dreyer

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 1974
• Grant date: May 4, 1976
• Expiry date: Feb 15, 1994

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P10/134
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the direct reduction of iron ores using a reducing gas mixture which is passed through a shaft furnace containing the ore to be reduced is disclosed. The process is characterized in that the partial flow of reducing gas mixture is removed from the furnace approximately at the point of transition between the magnetite and Wustite stages of the ore and is regenerated. The regenerated reducing gas is then reapplied to the furnace with a fresh reducing gas mixture resulting in a substantial energy saving.