SUSTAINABLE STEELMAKING BY INTENSIFIED DIRECT REDUCTION OF IRON OXIDE AND SOLID WASTE MINIMISATION

摘要

A method of processing iron oxide, the method including heating composite agglomerates formed from the iron oxide, and a solid carbonaceous reductant on a grate (27) in a furnace (20), whereby the agglomerates form a moving bed on the grate. Hot gases are directed (downwardly and/or upwardly) through the grate and the bed of agglomerates in a first zone (21) of the furnace (20) for drying and/or preheating the agglomerates of the bed as they traverse the first zone (21). Cold or preheated air and/or oxidant is directed upwardly through the grate (27) and the preheated agglomerates in a second zone (23) of the furnace (20). Reduction of the iron oxide of said agglomerates is effected in said second zone (23) to form a direct reduced iron product, whereby the upwardly directed air and/or oxidant is effective to combust, in the interstices of the bed, volatiles including carbon monoxide emanating from the reducing agglomerates.