Direct reduction of metal oxide agglomerates

摘要

A method of producing metals and metal alloys from metal oxides is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: (a) passing a gas at an elevated temperature through a bed of composite agglomerates that are formed from metal oxides and solid carbonaceous material and thereby reducing metal oxides in the agglomerates to metal and melting the metal; and (b) collecting the molten metal from the agglomerates.