procedures for the gradual reduction of iron ore to iron feinverteiltem

摘要

A process for reducing iron ore comprises reacting the ore with a gas produced by contacting a hydrocarbon with 0.8 to 1 mole. of steam per carbon atom in the hydrocarbon at a temperature of at least 1600 DEG F. in a reaction zone of uniform temperature. The reaction between steam and hydrocarbon may be carried out in a vessel externally heated or to which heated solid bodies, which may be catalysts, are added. The gas formed is then supplied to a three stage, fluidized bed reduction process for iron ore; (i) preheating stage, (ii) reduction of the oxides present to FeO, (iii) reduction of FeO to iron. The third stage is preferably performed at 1700 DEG F. to 2200 DEG F. and the bed may be heated by the addition thereto of heated solid bodies. The spent gas from the preheat stage may be burned to produce heat for use at other parts of the process.