Patent ID: 6273932
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: C21B,C21C,C22B,F27B,F27D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for continuous metal melting in an elongate rotary furnace having horizontal longitudinal disposition and annular end openings, characterized by the combination of the following steps:maintaining a partially melted bath of metal carrying a floating layer of slag in an elongate gas-solid-liquid reaction zone with a hot gas stream passing over said metal and slag within said furnace;conveying solid charge materials comprising metallic materials, fluxes and additive reagents through at least one of said end openings into said hot gas stream and along said gas-solid-liquid reaction zone;downwardly projecting said charge materials into said bath;traversing the location of at least a part of said downwardly projecting said charge materials and thereby distributing the entry location of said charge materials into said bath successively backwards and forwards along a longitudinal traverse span of said gas-solid-liquid reaction zone; and allowing liquid metal to flow out of said gas-solid-liquid reaction zone to provide for replenishing said bath by said conveying and downwardly projecting of said charge materials.