GB547363A - Improvements in or relating to methods of and apparatus for reducing oxides such as metallic ores - Google Patents

Abstract

547,363. Reducing ores; furnaces. WILSON, L. Feb. 20, 1941, No. 2337. Convention date, March 30, 1940: [Classes 72 and 82 (i)] [Also in Group XII] Oxides, particularly iron ores, are reduced by discharging them in finely divided form in a freely falling shower through a reducing atmosphere in a pre-heated reaction chamber, the supply of heat being discontinued before the admission of the charge and the reduced product being collected at the bottom of the chamber. The reducing atmosphere is maintained by admission of reducing gas, or by vaporization of hydrocarbon oil, or by admitting finely divided solid carbonaceous reducing agent in admixture with the oxides. The charge may be conveyed to the top of the chamber by a preheated air stream. The apparatus shown comprises a tower 10 having burners 13, a feed hopper 18, tilting hearth 31, and discharge hopper 36. The feeder comprises a funnel 19, Fig. 9, surmounted by discs 21, 24 having ports 22, 28 between which moves a compartmented rotor 25 which passes the material from a supply duct 29 to the port 22 and funnel 19. When a charge of material has been treated, the hearth 31 is tilted to discharge the metal through the hopper 36 into a vessel 39 which has been brought up to make gas-tight connection with the hopper 36. In a modification, twin reaction towers are operated alternately, each tower being reheated between successive operations, the apparatus comprising also regenerators for supplying hot air to the tower being heated and for combustion with the combustible gas formed in the tower which is in operation.