METHOD AND APPARTATUS FOR REDUCING PARTICULATE IRON OXIDE TO METALLIC IRON WITH SOLID REDUCTANT

摘要

A method and apparatus for reducing particulate iron oxide to metallic iron utilizing solid carbonaceous fuel as reductant in a shaft type reducing furnace being (a) a particle introducing means generally at the top thereof and a reduced particle removal means at the bottom thereof for establishing a gravitationally descending burden therein; (b)means for passing an electric current through said burden, including an external source of electric power; (c) a gas outlet in the upper region of said furnace for removing top gas; (d) means external to said furnace for cooling said removed top gas and a top gas scrubber having sludge collecting means for cleaning removed top gas, said cooling and cleaning means communicating with said gas outlet; (e) means communicating with said top gas cooling and cleaning means and with the interior of said furnace for returning cooled and cleaned top gas to said furnace in the lower region thereof; and (f) a sludge return line communicating with said scrubber and terminating in said furnace beneath the burden stockline for returning scrubber sludge to the interior of said furnace beneath the stockline.