METHOD OF OPERATING A MOVABLE HEARTH FURNACE FOR REDUCING OXIDES

摘要

The present invention provides a traveling hearth furnance and an operating method thereof, which, when stacking a layer consisting of a mixture of oxides such a fine iron ore and a fine solid reducing material onto a horizontally traveling hearth and reducing the oxides through radiant heat transfer from above the hearth, is based on a process comprising the steps of melting the reduction product in the course of up to a discharge port, and causing aggregation and separation of slag in the reduction product. When stowing the layer of the mixture consisting of a fine iron ore and a fine solid reducing material onto the horizontally traveling hearth and reducing the fine iron ore by radiant heat transfer from above the hearth, a fine coal char is first stacked prior to stacking the mixture layer onto the hearth, and melting the reduction product on the hearth at least once. The mixture powder containing the fine iron ore and the fine solid reducing material is divided into small blocks and the hearth is dotted with these small blocks so as not to be in direct contact with the hearth via the fine solid reducing material, and the reduced iron is melted on the hearth.