Patent ID: 6692688
Filing Date: 2004-02-17
Classification: C21B,C22B

Abstract:
A modular shaft or blast furnace apparatus for the production of molten metal, which may be iron, by self reduction of agglomerates having oxides of said metal or by melting and refining of prereduced metal containing agglomerates comprising:a plurality of connected cells of identical size and construction forming said modular apparatus; each cell of said plurality of cells being connected to a common fuel source and to a common means for supplying self-reducing agglomerates having a common metal oxide for reduction within a chamber of each said cell or for supplying prereduced metal containing agglomerates for melting and refining within said chamber of each said cell; and each said chamber being configured to produce molten metal of like composition by self reduction or melting and refining, under like conditions, of said common oxide or said prereduced agglomerates, respectively, supplied to each said reduction chamber.