Provided is a method for transporting reductant such as coke into a metallurgical furnace containing a bottom layer containing molten metal and a top layer on top of the bottom layer containing molten metal. The method comprises a first providing step for providing reductant, a second providing step for providing metal, a forming step for forming carriers containing reductant and metal of reductant provided in the first providing step and metal provided in the second providing step, and a feeding step for feeding carriers formed in the forming step into the metallurgical furnace. Also provided is a carrier and a production method for producing carriers.

The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.

A method and system of controlling a melting process of copper in a copper melting furnace including measuring at least one furnace parameter, wherein the at least one furnace parameter includes one or both of a furnace temperature and a furnace exhaust oxygen concentration, calculating a first rate of change of the furnace parameter over a first time period, calculating a second rate of change of the furnace parameter over a second time period at least a portion of which occurs after the first time period, comparing the first rate of change with the second rate of change, and indicating substantial completion of a process phase in the furnace when the second rate of change deviates by a predetermined threshold percentage from the first rate of change.

A method and system of controlling a melting process of copper in a copper melting furnace including measuring at least one furnace parameter, wherein the at least one furnace parameter includes one or both of a furnace temperature and a furnace exhaust oxygen concentration, calculating a first rate of change of the furnace parameter over a first time period, calculating a second rate of change of the furnace parameter over a second time period at least a portion of which occurs after the first time period, comparing the first rate of change with the second rate of change, and indicating substantial completion of a process phase in the furnace when the second rate of change deviates by a predetermined threshold percentage from the first rate of change.