| 摘要 |
Smelting reduction of metallic oxide material, eg pelletised iron oxide ore or iron oxide ore fines is effected by contacting such material with a circulating molten carrier material, eg molten iron in the case of iron oxide smelting, in a furnace, and by introducing a carbonaceous reductant eg coal into the carrier material. The reductant converts the metal oxide to metal in a smelting reduction zone. Carbon monoxide thereby produced is combusted in a heating zone through which the carrier material passes to effect heat recovery. Slag is removed from the carrier material surface before entering the heating zone. A protective layer of molten material, eg lead, which is substantially stationary is maintained below the circulating carrier material to inhibit erosion of the furnace hearth. In other processes, deepsea manganese nodules are conjointly smelted with chalcopyrite in a circulating molten Cu-Ni-Co matte carrier whilst maintaining a protective layer of Cu-Ni-Co alloy below the matte; and high silica nickel laterite and limonitic ores are conjointly metallised and sulphided whilst being supported by a circulating molten nickel matte carrier, with controlled addition of carbon to cause a protective layer of ferronickel alloy containing carbon to be maintained below the matte carrier. |
