Patent ID: 6258149
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: C21B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of producing reduced iron agglomerates, comprising:a) charging agglomerates comprising iron oxide and a carbonaceous material onto the moving hearth of a moving hearth furnace;b) reducing the agglomerates;c) blowing methane or methane-containing gas over the surface of the agglomerates at a surface temperature of 1150.degree. C. or higher for at least the final 1/18 to 1/3 of the retention time of the agglomerates in the heating furnace; andd) cooling the reduced iron agglomerates by blowing the methane or methane-containing gas in an amount of less than 6.0 kg mol per ton of the reduced iron agglomerates to the surface of the reduced iron agglomerates.