Patent ID: 6273934
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: C21B,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of producing iron and iron-containing alloys from iron oxides comprising:(i) partially pre-reducing iron oxides to a pre-reduction degree of at least 11% in a first pre-reduction vessel using off gas that is produced in a smelt reduction vessel as a source of reductant;(ii) pre-reducing the partially reduced iron oxides from the first pre-reduction stage to at least 60% in a second pre-reduction vessel using one or more of natural gas, reformed natural gas, and partially reformed natural gas as a source of reductant; and(iii) transferring the pre-reduced iron oxides to the smelt reduction vessel containing a molten bath of iron and slag and completely reducing the iron oxides and producing molten iron.