Iron production method of operation in a rotary hearth furnace and improved furnace apparatus
US6413295B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 2, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 12, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P10/134
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention is an apparatus and method for the direct reduction of iron oxide utilizing a rotary hearth furnace to form a high purity carbon-containing iron metal button. The hearth layer may be a refractory or a vitreous hearth layer of iron oxide, carbon, and silica compounds. Additionally, coating materials may be introduced onto the refractory or vitreous hearth layer before iron oxide ore and carbon materials are added, with the coating materials preventing attack of the molten iron on the hearth layer. The coating materials may include compounds of carbon, iron oxide, silicon oxide, magnesium oxide, and/or aluminum oxide. The coating materials may be placed as a solid or a slurry on the hearth layer and heated, which provides a protective layer onto which the iron oxide ores and carbon materials are placed. The iron oxide is reduced and forms molten globules of high purity iron and residual carbon, which remain separate from the hearth layer. An improved apparatus includes a cooling plate that is placed in close proximity with the refractory or vitreous hearth layer, cooling the molten globules to form iron metal buttons that are removed from the hearth layer. The i…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.