Direct smelting process
US6379422B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 30, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S75/958
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for direct smelting metalliferous feed material is disclosed. Iron oxides are partially reduced in a solid state in a pre-reduction vessel. The partially reduced iron oxides are smelted to molten iron in a direct smelting vessel which contains a molten bath of iron and slag and is supplied with a solid carbonaceous material as a source of reductant and energy and with an oxygen-containing gas for post-combusting carbon monoxide and hydrogen generated in the vessel. The direct smelting step generates an off-gas that contains sulphur and the off-gas is released from the direct smelting vessel. Part only of the off-gas released from the direct smelting vessel is used in the pre-reduction step to pre-reduce iron oxides in the pre-reduction vessel. Part only of the off-gas is used in the pre-reduction step in order to control the amount of sulphur that is returned with the partially reduced iron oxides to the direct smelting vessel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.