METHOD OF DIRECT MELTING FOR OBTAINING METALS FROM THEIR OXIDES Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes forming molten metal and slag bath, introduction of metal-containing raw material (oxides), solid carbon-containing material (coal and/or coke), forming slag in bath and melting metal-containing starting raw material, afterburning unoxidized reactive gases and transfer of heat thus formed to bath for facilitated melting. Transient zone is formed between afterburning zone and killed metal zone due to introduction of charge into bath together with carrier gas, thus resulting in ejection of metal and slag into transient zone. Introduced deeply in melt are passages-tuyeres for supply of oxygen for afterburning of unoxidized reactive gases and for ejection of splashes, drops and jets of molten metal to transient zone which are then returned to bath, thus ensuring efficient transfer of heat from afterburning zone to molten metal bath. Amount of dissolved carbon is maintained at level of ≥3%, >4% preferably. Amount of FeO in slag is maintained at level <8%, <6% or <5% preferably. Amount of solid carbon-containing material introduced as part of charge is dictated by requirement that waste gas contains at least some amount of carbon, 5 to 90% of weight of powder-like particles in waste gas preferably which corresponds to 10-50 g/norm.cu.m. Primary afterburning is set >40%, >50% or >60% preferably. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency. 10 cl, 1 dwg, 1 tbl