Patent ID: 6596223
Filing Date: 2003-07-22
Classification: C21B,Y02P

Abstract:
An apparatus adapted to produce iron and/or ferroalloys by a direct smelting process, which apparatus includes:(a) a fixed non-tiltable metallurgical vessel adapted to contain a molten bath of iron and slag that includes a metal-rich zone and an expanded molten bath zone above the metal-rich zone, which vessel has: a hearth formed of refractory material and a minimum internal width of at least 4 meters; side walls extending upwardly from the hearth to a level at which, in operation, said side walls would be in in contact with the expanded molten bath zone, wherein the side walls include water cooled panels adapted to receive a layer of molten material thereon; and a roof (b) 3 or more lances extending downwardly into the vessel, said lances being adapted to inject jets of oxygen-containing gas into a region of the vessel above a molten bath, each gas injection lance having an outlet end of internal diameter of 0.6 m or less and protruding at least a distance equivalent to its internal diameter into the vessel, and wherein the lance is operable to inject oxygen-containing gas at a velocity of at least 150 m/s; (c) a means for supplying feed materials being ferruginous material and/or carbonaceous material and carrier gas into the molten bath; and (d) a means for tapping molten metal and slag from the vessel.