Patent ID: 7638088

Claim:
An apparatus for producing metals and primary metal products from a metal-containing charge material, the apparatus comprising: a treatment reactor configured to reduce at least partially the charge material and to pass fine particles; a melting unit configured to melt the charge material and configured to produce an at least partially reducing working gas; an intermediate vessel positioned downstream of the treatment reactor, and comprising a fluidized-bed lock configured and positioned such that the fine particles discharged from the treatment reactor are removable by the working gas produced in the melting unit; a transport device connected to the treatment reactor and configured to pneumatically transport the fine particles at least in part by the working gas produced in the melting unit; a gas/solid separation apparatus positioned over the melting unit and configured to be operable to separate the working gas from the fine particles removed from the intermediate vessel and being transported by the transport device, wherein the transport device leads from the intermediate vessel to the gas/solid separation apparatus.