Patent ID: 7632335
Filing Date: 2009-12-15
Classification: C21B,C22B,F27B

Abstract:
1. A method for producing metallic iron nuggets comprising the steps of: providing a hearth comprising refractory material; providing a hearth material layer on the refractory material, the hearth material comprising at least carbonaceous material; providing a layer of reducible micro-agglomerates on at least a portion of the hearth material layer with at least 50 percent of the layer of reducible micro-agglomerates comprised of micro-agglomerates having an average size of about 2 millimeters or less, the reducible micro-agglomerates being formed from at least reducing material and reducible iron bearing material where the reducible micro-agglomerates have a quantity of reducing material between about 70 percent and about 90 percent of a stoichiometric amount of reducing material necessary for complete iron reduction of the reducible iron bearing material; and thermally treating the layer of reducible micro-agglomerates to form one or more metallic iron nuggets by melting.