A process for producing sponge iron from iron ore is described, which is reduced to sponge iron in a reduction shaft furnace by means of a hot reduction gas. For this purpose reduction gas at a temperature in the range 750 to 900.degree. C. is introduced into shaft furnace (1) level with bustle plane (5) having been produced in a gasifier (2) then cooled and purified in a cyclone separator (12). Reduction gas is introduced below the bustle plane (5) at a temperature below that of the reduction gas introduced in the bustle plane and is preferably introduced into the shaft furnace (1) between 650.degree. and 750.degree. C. Increased carburization of the sponge iron is obtained. Increased carbon separation also results through a volume increase, particularly by increasing the cross-section through the lower part of the shaft furnace. Carburization is also assisted in that the ratio of the reduction gas quantity supplied below the bustle plane is made as large as possible compared with the reduction gas quantity supplied in the bustle plane.
The invention relates to a method of making iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas with a low slag forming process utilizing petroleum coke as a fuel in a melter gasifier.
The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing a carbonaceous fuel including petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petroleum coke and a slag containing sulfur freed from combustion of the petroleum coke.
A method of shift conversion of CO to H.sub.2 so that the level of gas can be reduced to a level that preheating for direct reduction to 800 to 900.degree. C. can be accomplished wherein carbon deposition is not a factor.
The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petroleum coke and a slag containing sulfur freed from combustion of the petroleum coke.
The invention provides a method for both disposing of an environmentally undesirable material comprising petroleum coke and the sulfur and heavy metals contained therein and of providing fuel for a process of making molten iron or steel preproducts and reduction gas in a melter gasifier having an upper fuel charging end, a reduction gas discharging end, a lower molten metal and slag collection end, and means providing an entry for charging ferrous material into the melter gasifier; introducing petroleum coke into the melter gasifier at the upper fuel charging end; blowing oxygen-containing gas into the petroleum coke to form at least a first fluidized bed of coke particles from the petroleum coke; introducing ferrous material into the melter gasifier through the entry means, reacting petroleum coke, oxygen and particulate ferrous material to combust the major portion of the petroleum coke to produce reduction gas and molten iron or steel preproducts containing heavy metals freed from combustion of the petroleum coke and a slag containing sulfur freed from combustion of the petroleum coke.
