This method is for producing granular metallic iron in which the relation between the mass ratio (mass %) of the volatile matter content contained in a carbonaceous reducing agent and the average gas flow rate (m/s) of the ambient gas in a heating furnace fulfills expression (1). Mass ratio of volatile matter content4.62average gas flow rate+46.7 . . . (1)

This method is for producing granular metallic iron in which the relation between the mass ratio (mass %) of the volatile matter content contained in a carbonaceous reducing agent and the average gas flow rate (m/s) of the ambient gas in a heating furnace fulfills expression (1). Mass ratio of volatile matter content4.62average gas flow rate+46.7 . . . (1)

A molten bath-based direct smelting process comprises controlling the process conditions in a direct smelting vessel so that molten slag in a molten bath of metal and slag in the vessel has a viscosity in a range of 0.5-5 poise when the slag temperature is in the range of 1400-1550 C. in the molten bath in the vessel.

A molten bath-based direct smelting process comprises controlling the process conditions in a direct smelting vessel so that molten slag in a molten bath of metal and slag in the vessel has a viscosity in a range of 0.5-5 poise when the slag temperature is in the range of 1400-1550 C. in the molten bath in the vessel.

Provided is a device for producing partially reduced iron, with which partially reduced iron having a prescribed reduction ratio can be produced efficiently. The present invention is equipped with: CO sensors that detect the carbon monoxide concentration in an exhaust gas; an O.sub.2 sensor that detects the oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas; an exhaust gas circulation device that adjusts the circulating amount of the exhaust gas supplied to a reduction furnace main body, and an air feed device that adjusts the amount of air that being fed; and a control device that controls these devices. The control devices on the basis of the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust gas as detected by the CO sensor and the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas as detected by the O.sub.2 sensor.

Provided is a device for producing partially reduced iron, with which partially reduced iron having a prescribed reduction ratio can be produced efficiently. The present invention is equipped with: CO sensors that detect the carbon monoxide concentration in an exhaust gas; an O.sub.2 sensor that detects the oxygen concentration in an exhaust gas; an exhaust gas circulation device that adjusts the circulating amount of the exhaust gas supplied to a reduction furnace main body, and an air feed device that adjusts the amount of air that being fed; and a control device that controls these devices. The control devices on the basis of the carbon monoxide concentration in the exhaust gas as detected by the CO sensor and the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas as detected by the O.sub.2 sensor.

A process for manufacturing reduced iron agglomerates which comprises introducing starting agglomerates that comprise both an iron oxide-containing material and a carbonaceous reducing agent onto the hearth of a moving-bed heating furnace, and heating the agglomerates to reduce the iron oxide contained in the agglomerates, wherein the iron oxide-containing material contained in the starting agglomerates has a mean particle diameter of 4 to 23 m and contains at least 18% of particles having diameters of 10 m or less. By the use of such starting agglomerates, the process attains: an improvement in the yield of reduced iron agglomerates having large particle diameters; a reduction in the manufacturing time, said reduction leading to an enhancement in the productivity; and a remarkable reduction in the content of impurities such as sulfur in the reduced-iron agglomerates.

A process for manufacturing reduced iron agglomerates which comprises introducing starting agglomerates that comprise both an iron oxide-containing material and a carbonaceous reducing agent onto the hearth of a moving-bed heating furnace, and heating the agglomerates to reduce the iron oxide contained in the agglomerates, wherein the iron oxide-containing material contained in the starting agglomerates has a mean particle diameter of 4 to 23 m and contains at least 18% of particles having diameters of 10 m or less. By the use of such starting agglomerates, the process attains: an improvement in the yield of reduced iron agglomerates having large particle diameters; a reduction in the manufacturing time, said reduction leading to an enhancement in the productivity; and a remarkable reduction in the content of impurities such as sulfur in the reduced-iron agglomerates.

A molten bath-based direct smelting process comprises controlling the process conditions in a direct smelting vessel so that molten slag in a molten bath of metal and slag in the vessel has a viscosity in a range of 0.5-5 poise when the slag temperature is in a range of 1400-1550 C. in the molten bath in the vessel.

A molten bath-based direct smelting process comprises controlling the process conditions in a direct smelting vessel so that molten slag in a molten bath of metal and slag in the vessel has a viscosity in a range of 0.5-5 poise when the slag temperature is in a range of 1400-1550 C. in the molten bath in the vessel.