Patent ID: 8202474
Filing Date: 2012-06-19
Classification: B65G,C21B,C21C,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A composite system comprising: a reduction system for reducing oxides in a continuous process, a process assembly for manufacturing liquid metal in a discontinuous process, wherein a reduction product is fed from the reduction system to the process assembly, at least one buffer device for receiving the reduction product and further starting materials and also for charging the process assembly, and a conveyor system for transporting the reduction product from the reduction system into the at least one buffer device, the conveyor system comprising, a plurality of conveyor elements operable for conveying pelletized, hot, material to be conveyed over a conveyance path, a gastight cover over the path for shielding the material to be conveyed by the conveyor elements, at least one distributor line for feeding in a protective gas located on at least one inner side of the cover so that a space in the conveyor system and inside the cover may be rinsed with a protective gas and avoiding ingressing ambient atmosphere, the cover having lateral gastight walls and upper gastight walls, the at least one distributor line having bore holes or slits on opposing sides thereof, configured and operative to direct protective gas along an inward facing surface of the cover to form an outward directed stream of protective gas.