Fuel and oxygen addition for metal smelting or refining process
US5366537A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1993 |
| Grant date | Nov 22, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/134
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A furnace 10 for smelting iron ore and/or refining molten iron 20 is equipped with an overhead pneumatic lance 40, through which a center stream of particulate coal 53 is ejected at high velocity into a slag layer 30. An annular stream of nitrogen or argon 51 enshrouds the coal stream. Oxygen 52 is simultaneously ejected in an annular stream encircling the inert gas stream 51. The interposition of the inert gas stream between the coal and oxygen streams prevents the volatile matter in the coal from combusting before it reaches the slag layer. Heat of combustion is thus more efficiently delivered to the slag, where it is needed to sustain the desired reactions occurring there. A second stream of lower velocity oxygen can be delivered through an outermost annulus 84 to react with carbon monoxide gas rising from slag layer 30, thereby adding still more heat to the furnace.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.