In a process and apparatus for the reduction of metal oxides (3) to form metalized material by contact with hot reducing gas, which is produced at least partially by catalytic reformation of a mixture of a gas containing carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and/or steam (H.sub.2O) with gaseous hydrocarbons,
the heat for the endothermal reformation processes which take place during the reformation is provided at least partially by the combustion of a fuel gas.

A method is disclosed for generating slag having desired characteristics.

A molten pig iron manufacturing method using a fixed-type DC electric furnace, wherein an auxiliary raw material is supplied to the fixed-type DC electric furnace and molten pig iron having a C concentration of 2 to 4 mass % at a temperature of 1400 C. to 1550 C. is tapped from a tap hole in a state in which a solid iron source is present in the furnace inner peripheral wall space and in a state in which the solid iron source is not present in the upper electrode facing space.

Described are solid agglomerates of fine metal particles and methods for manufacturing same. A liquid oily lubricant is used in the manufacture of the solid agglomerates. The manufacturing comprises blending fine metal particles with the liquid oily lubricant and compacting the oily metallic mixture obtained to desired solid form. Advantageously, the solid agglomerates possess a desirable density, a suitable resistance to crumbling and dusting during handling, and they can resist to high temperature and to humidity. Solid agglomerated metal products, according to the invention, may be useful for different purposes such as quality charge material for steel plants, blast furnaces and foundries.

A method for producing a high purity high carbon molten chrome product from chrome and carbon bearing material, said method comprising the steps of: (a) continuously introducing chrome compacts directly into an electric melter; (b) heating and melting the chrome compacts in the electric melter at a temperature of between about 1300 C. to about 1700 C. to form high carbon molten chrome; (c) preventing oxidation of the high carbon molten chrome via minimization of the ingress of oxygen containing gas in said heating step; (d) carburizing the high carbon molten chrome to form high carbon molten metallized chrome; (e) purifying the high carbon molten metallized chrome by reducing silicon oxides to silicon and desulfurizing the high carbon molten metallized chrome to produce the high purity high carbon molten chrome product; and (f) discharging the high purity high carbon molten chrome product from the electric melter.

Described are solid agglomerates of fine metal particles and methods for manufacturing same. A liquid oily lubricant is used in the manufacture of the solid agglomerates. The manufacturing comprises blending fine metal particles with the liquid oily lubricant and compacting the oily metallic mixture obtained to desired solid form. Advantageously, the solid agglomerates possess a desirable density, a suitable resistance to crumbling and dusting during handling, and they can resist to high temperature and to humidity. Solid agglomerated metal products, according to the invention, may be useful for different purposes such as quality charge material for steel plants, blast furnaces and foundries.

The present invention relates to a process for the smelting of a metalliferous feedstock material. The process includes the steps of: (i) feeding an agglomerate comprising of a fine metalliferous feedstock material and a fine reductant to a reactor, the agglomerate forming a packed bed within the reactor; (ii) smelting the agglomerate by passing a hot reducing gas counter current through the packed bed to form a molten material comprising a partially reduced metalliferous constituent, an intermediate slag constituent and entrained unreacted reductant constituent; and (iii) channeling the molten material to flow into a vessel to form a metal product and a slag product.

An arrangement and process for charging iron ore to a direct reduction shaft, as well as an arrangement and process for discharging sponge iron from a direct reduction shaft. The processes each include the steps of evacuating gas from a vessel by application of vacuum followed by refilling the vessel with a process gas from the direct reduction shaft. Also provided is a system for the production of sponge iron including such an arrangement for charging iron ore and/or discharging sponge iron. Further provided is a process for direct reduction of iron ore, wherein the process includes introducing a process gas from direct reduction to a direct reduction shaft in conjunction with charging iron ore and/or in discharging sponge iron.

A method for melting DRI consisting at least partly of HBI and/or HCI using a melting process, wherein the HBI and/or the HCI is comminuted before being supplied to the melting process, and HBI or HCI fragments obtained during the comminuting process are supplied to the melting process.