Direct smelting process
US6475264B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 21, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S75/958
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for direct smelting a metalliferous feed material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of partially reducing metalliferous feed material and substantially devolatilising coal in a pre-reduction vessel and producing a partially reduced metalliferous feed material and char. The process also includes direct smelting the partially reduced metalliferous feed material to molten metal in a direct smelting vessel using the char as a source of energy and as a reductant and post-combusting reaction gas produced in the direct smelting process with pre-heated air or oxygen-enriched air to a post-combustion level of greater than 70% to generate heat required for the direct smelting reactions and to maintain the metal in a molten state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.