Patent ID: 8906131
Filing Date: 2014-12-09
Classification: C21B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method of producing metallic iron, comprising: (a) providing an amount of iron oxide ore material at least a portion of which is selected from the group consisting of magnetite, hematite, goethite, limonite, mill scale, and a mixture thereof; (b) blending the ore material with biomass reductant and a suitable flux material to form a mixture; and (c) placing the mixture in a loose uncompacted or slightly compacted form, but wherein the mixture remains in an un-agglomerated state into a reducing furnace, wherein the reducing furnace has an atmosphere substantially devoid of oxygen, wherein the furnace atmosphere temperature is from about 1260° C. to about 1550° C., for a time and at a temperature sufficient to thereby produce metallic iron.