Patent · US Expired

Process and an apparatus for producing metals and metal alloys

US6440195B1 · kind B1 · utility

35Cited by
85References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 21, 2000
Grant dateAug 27, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 21, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02P10/134
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process and an apparatus for producing metals from a metalliferous feed material are disclosed. The process includes the steps of partially reducing and at least partially melting a metalliferous feed material in a pre-reduction/melting means and completely reducing the partially reduced feed material in a reduction means. The pre-reduction/melting means is positioned directly above the reduction means and communicates with the reduction means so that at least partially molten, partially reduced feed material flows downwardly into a central region of the reduction means. The reduction means includes a vessel that contains a molten bath having a metal layer and a slag layer on the metal layer. The process includes injecting oxygen-containing gas into the reduction means and post-combusting reaction gas generated in the molten bath and injecting oxygen-containing gas into the pre-reduction/melting means and post-combusting reaction gas discharged from the reduction means. The process further includes injecting solid carbonaceous material and a carrier gas into a metal rich region of the molten bath and causing upward movement of splashes, droplets and streams of molten material whi…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.