Patent ID: 6135766
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: C21B

Abstract:
A method of operating a movable hearth furnace, comprising the steps of:feeding initial feed stock composed of an iron ore and a solid reducing material into a movable hearth furnace having a unidirectionally movable hearth disposed therein, thereby stacking said feed stock on said movable hearth; andrepeating a series of operations including preheating, reduction and discharge of said iron ore and reducing material to thereby reduce said iron ore,further introducing a subsequent feed stock portion composed of an iron ore and a solid reducing material and supplied subsequently to said initial feed stock in said movable hearth furnace,preheating said subsequent feed stock portion by utilizing heat transferred from the finished reduced initial ore, andstacking said subsequent feed stock portion on said movable hearth for further reduction during movement of said movable hearth furnace, andsubsequently discharging said initial feed stock portion from said furnace while transferring some of its heat to said subsequent feed stock portion.