Patent ID: 6989126

Claim:
An apparatus for supplying solid feed materials for a direct smelting process to solids injection lances of a direct smelting vessel, the feed materials supply apparatus including: (a) a plurality of supply lines for conveying iron-containing material and solid carbonaceous material under pressure to pairs of solids injection lances, with one supply line being connected to each pair of lances and the lances of each pair being located on diametrically opposed locations on the vessel, and each supply line including a main feeder line section and two branch line sections extending from the main feeder line section, with each branch line section being connected to one lance of said pair of lances; (b) a plurality of assemblies for dispensing iron-containing material under pressure into the main feeder line sections of the supply lines, each assembly including a pressurised vessel; and (c) a plurality of assemblies for dispensing carbonaceous material under pressure into the main feeder line sections of the supply lines, each assembly including a pressurised vessel.