Patent ID: 6129777
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: C21B,Y02P

Abstract:
A method of producing reduced iron agglomerates comprisingpreparing iron oxide agglomerates each including a carbonaceous material and having a particle size within a range from about 10 to 30 mm;laying the iron oxide agglomerates at a laying density of 1.4 kg/m.sup.2 /mm or lower on a hearth of a moving hearth furnace;heating the iron oxide agglomerates such that a surface temperature of the iron oxide agglomerates reaches 1200.degree. C. or higher within one-third of a retention period of time of the iron oxide agglomerates in the moving hearth furnace;reducing the iron oxide agglomerates to a metallization ratio of 85% or higher to prepare reduced iron agglomerates; and thendischarging the reduced iron agglomerates out of the moving hearth furnace, whereinthe preparing iron oxide agglomerates comprisesselecting an aimed particle size; andarranging so that more than 80% of the iron oxide agglomerates have a particle size within a range of .+-.2 mm of the aimed particle size.