PROCESS AND DEVICE FOR THE REDUCTION ANNEALING OF POWDERED IRON

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for the continuous reduction and soft annealing of water-atomized iron powder that is passed through an indirectly heated processing chamber with a heating, reduction, and cooling zone, in the form of a loose powder charge. In order to increase the throughput and achieve reduced energy and reduction agent costs, it is proposed that the powder charge be agitated at least in the reduction zone when passing through the processing chamber during constant mixing, when the temperature amounts to 800 to 950.degree.C, and in that fresh reduction gas be constantly introduced into the reduction zone in order to regulate the dewpoint of the furnace atmosphere. 23