Patent ID: 6174346
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: C21B,F27B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides which comprises the steps of:(i) injecting metal oxides into a first pre-reduction vessel, and drying, pre-heating, and partially reducing metal oxides in the first pre-reduction vessel by injecting reaction gases discharged from a smelt reduction vessel containing a bath of molten metal and slag and/or reaction gases discharged from a second pre-reduction vessel into the first pre-reduction vessel; and(ii) injecting the dried, pre-heated, partially reduced metal oxides from the first pre-reduction vessel into a second pre-reduction vessel, injecting solid carbonaceous material into the second pre-reduction vessel, maintaining a temperature of at least 550.degree. C. in the second pre-reduction vessel, and reducing further the metal oxides and producing at least partially devolatilised solid carbonaceous material; and(iii) injecting the partially reduced metal oxides and the at least partially devolatilised solid carbonaceous material from the second pre-reduction vessel into the smelt reduction vessel, and reducing further the partially reduced metal oxides and producing molten metal.