An electric furnace with energy utilization efficiency at a low cost. In an electric furnace, a preheating chamber 2 with a melting chamber 1 is used to preheat iron scrap x, an exhaust gas generated in melting chamber 1 is passed through preheating chamber 2 filled with the iron scrap x to preheat the iron scrap x, the iron scrap x descends in the preheating chamber 2 to be supplied into melting chamber 1, and the iron scrap x is melted to obtain molten iron m. The iron scrap x is charged into preheating chamber 2 so that bulk density is not less than 0.50 t/m.sup.3 and less than 1.00 t/m.sup.3 and an iron scrap filling ratio H.sub.SC/H.sub.SF in the preheating chamber 2 is 0.5 to 0.8. A carbonaceous material is used for melting the iron scrap x, and oxygen and the carbonaceous material are blown into the melting chamber.

The present application relates to a process for the purification of waste materials or industrial by-products, the process comprising the steps of: a) Preparing a composition (C) by blending or mixing waste materials or industrial by-products comprising chlorine (B) with one or more materials comprising heavy metals (HM) b) Reacting (B) and (HM) by thermal treatment of (C) c) Separating evaporated heavy metal chloride compounds (HMCC) d) Obtaining a solid material after the thermal treatment step.

The invention is directed to a method for processing asbestos-containing steel scrap into useful products, which products can be handled in a safe manner. In accordance with the present invention the asbestos-containing steel scrap is melted in a furnace, which results in destruction of the asbestos fibers. It has been found possible to carry out such a process in an economically feasible manner. In accordance with the invention asbestos-containing steel is heated to high temperature so that the steel melts. As a result the asbestos will be converted into harmless material, which allows for safe handling and processing of the resulting products.

Plant for melting metal materials comprising at least a heating unit (11) provided with a container (13) to contain the mainly metal materials and with at least an induction heating device (22) configured to heat the mainly metal materials contained in the container (13). The plant also comprises a transfer unit (25) disposed downstream of the heating unit (11) and configured to move, substantially continuously, the mainly metal solid materials exiting from the heating unit (11) to a melting furnace (12). The container (13) is provided with an aperture (16) through which the mainly metal material, heated and in a solid state, is discharged onto the transfer unit (25), and opening/closing members (17) are associated with the aperture (16), commanded by an actuator (19) and configured to open, close and choke the aperture (16) in order to regulate the delivery of the metal materials that is discharged onto the transfer unit (25).

Plant for melting metal materials comprising at least a heating unit (11) provided with a container (13) to contain the mainly metal materials and with at least an induction heating device (22) configured to heat the mainly metal materials contained in the container (13). The plant also comprises a transfer unit (25) disposed downstream of the heating unit (11) and configured to move, substantially continuously, the mainly metal solid materials exiting from the heating unit (11) to a melting furnace (12). The container (13) is provided with an aperture (16) through which the mainly metal material, heated and in a solid state, is discharged onto the transfer unit (25), and opening/closing members (17) are associated with the aperture (16), commanded by an actuator (19) and configured to open, close and choke the aperture (16) in order to regulate the delivery of the metal materials that is discharged onto the transfer unit (25).

A method of producing steel by charging a furnace with scrap metal and agglomerated oxy-carbon material into a workspace of a furnace, to reduce specific electricity consumption when melting. Increasing the iron output quantity by inputting electric energy, fuel, a carburizer, a flux and gaseous oxygen, using electric arc melting with decarburization of a metal bath, and releasing metal and slag from the furnace. Prior to melting, a portion of the material is loaded with a first portion of the metal charge into the central zone of the furnace, and the remaining material into the melted charge during melting 0.5-10 kg/min per 1 megavolt-ampere of electric arc transformer power. The oxy-carbon material size is between 5 and 80 millimeters.

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.

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 pyrometallurgical process for recycling shredded spent electric vehicle batteries of Li-ion type and/or waste from the production of these new batteries and battery rejects, and/or portable batteries of Li-ion type. The process entails the addition of iron, smelting via the supply of energy, separation of a slag, oxidizing treatment and separation of a second slag.

A production method for smelting clean steel from full-scrap steel using duplex electric arc furnaces, which belongs to the field of electric arc furnace steelmaking. This method makes electric arc furnaces located in two positions be connected in series, wherein the electric arc furnace in a first position is dephosphorization electric arc furnace, and the electric arc furnace in a second position is decarbonization electric arc furnace.