摘要 |
<p>A process is provided for directly reducing a metal oxide to metal in a molten metal which comprises providing a body of molten metal in a converter provided with means for introducing molten metal and means for introducing metal oxide into the body of the molten metal by introducing molten metal therein, introducing said metal oxide as a powder suspended in a carrier gas, separately from said molten metal, into the body of the molten metal such that the molten metal introduced is hotter than the suspended powder and is distributed by said suspension to other parts of the mass of molten metal where the reduction can take place at the desired temperature. Preferably the molten metal is introduced into the converter via a channel in liquid communication with the converter, the channel opening into the converter at a level below the operating level of the molten metal, said metal being melted in a separate heating zone such that a temperature gradient is established between said zone and the contents of the converter, said zone having a refractory lining which is thinner than the lining of the converter, and the suspended metal oxide is injected into the body or the molten metal via a tuyere extending through the wall of the converter and terminating in the vessel at a distance from the channel, such that the suspended metal oxide does not pass through the heating zone.</p> |