Patent ID: 6517603
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: C21B,C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method for reducing metal oxides in a shaft furnace comprising:reacting in said shaft furnace a charge comprising a metal oxide and a reductant to produce a primary molten metal of said metal oxide and gas containing carbon monoxide and an additional secondary metal and oxide different than said primary molten metal; directing said gas upwardly in said shaft furnace and away from said charge; controlling temperature of said gas at a location in said shaft furnace above said charge to be higher than a condensing temperature of said secondary metal and oxide to prevent said secondary metal and oxide from adhering to an interior wall of said shaft furnace, wherein said temperature is controlled by varying a height of said charge within said shaft furnace; thereafter removing said gas from said shaft furnace; and separating said secondary metal and oxide from said gas removed from said shaft furnace.