Process for the direct reduction of iron ores using a natural gas with contents of butane or higher hydrocarbons, and equipment therefor

摘要

In a process and equipment for the direct reduction of iron in a shaft furnace, reducing gas is generated by cracking of methane in a cracking furnace. A part of the exit gases from the reduction process is here admixed to the methane before it enters the cracking furnace. The plant can also be operated with methane which is contaminated by additions of butane or higher hydrocarbons, without a deposition of carbon occurring in the catalytic component. This is achieved by heating the gas mixture in weakly catalytic surroundings to the reaction temperature.