191,032. Constant, G., and Bruzac, A. Dec. 29, 1921, [Convention date]. Extracting. - In a process for the production of iron and steel as described in Specification 179,532, the ore is rapidly reduced in a . closed receptacle and the reduced metal simultaneously carburized therein by a reducing gas containing carbon monoxide. The reducing gases from a generator or a smelting furnace are passed through the dried ore, separated from its gangue, contained in one or more reduction chambers arranged above or in proximity to the smelting furnace, the ore being reduced and then allowed to fall or pass into the furnace without access of air. The reduction chamber A, hermetically sealed at the top and containing the dried ore, is provided in its inclined lower walls with downwardly inclined inlets for the entry of the reducing gases from the pipe C. The gases from the chamber A are drawn off, by a fan J, through a pipe E, a dust collector F, a cooler G and a meter I which ascertains whether the necessary amount of gases for the reduction of the ore has passed through the chamber A. A recording apparatus K is also provided to ascertain whether all the carbon monoxide in the reducing gas has been transformed into carbon dioxide. The chamber A may be lined internally and externally with refractory brick-work. The reduced material is allowed to fall into a sump B closed by a baffle joint which, when the material is to be transferred to the furnace, is replaced by a sleeve M resting on a water-cooled piece N. Before inserting the sleeve M the gases in the sump B are removed by a pipe. L connected to the fan J. To produce pure iron, a soft steel is first produced in the reducing chamber and then decarburised by the addition of iron oxide.
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