GB1279138A - Improvements in or relating to methods and apparatus for direct reduction of metallic materials - Google Patents

Abstract

1279138 Continuous casting processes CONTINENTAL ORE CORP 11 June 1969 [11 June 1968 9 June 1969] 29651/69 Heading B3F [Also in Division C7] In a continuous casting process reactant materials including a metal oxide, or an oxide and a metal, a reducing agent and a slag forming material are introduced into the top of a mould 12, and are heated and stirred within the mould to produce a molten metal or alloy which is then solidified and withdrawn from the mould, the slag being continuously tapped off throughout the process. Heat is preferably supplied by means of a consumable or non-consumable electrode 30 immersed in the slag. When the electrode is of the non-consumable type the reactants are introduced through nozzles 32; alternatively a consumable electrode made from one or more of the reactants, e.g. a metallic oxide and a reducing agent, may be used. The mixture in the mould is stirred by an induction stirrer 24. An alternative mould 80, Fig. 5, has an enlarged upper portion 82, a vertically slidable slag-tapping device 86, a water-cooled, vertically displaceable steel baffle 88 and a graphite ring 90. Examples describe the production of a ferro-vanadium bar from a mixture of V 2 O 5 , a vanadiferrous slag containing 29% U 2 O 5 , a reducing material consisting of 62À5% carbon and 37À5% ferro-silicon FeSi 70 and a fluxing slag of CaF 2 with 4% ferromanganese FeMn 80 using (i) a graphite electrode, (ii) a tungsten electrode and (iii) an electrode made from the V 2 O 5 , vanadiferrous slag and the reducing material. Another example describes the production of a ferro-titanium eutecticalloy using an electrode consisting of 65À5% of titanium sponge containing about 3% Al, and 0À5% Fe, 4À5% rutile and 30% iron powder and a fluxing slag of CaF 2 + 4% FeMn 80.