Reduction furnace

Abstract

A vertical reduction furnace for the production of metallic iron by means of the direct reduction of iron ore (DRI), comprising an iron ore feed zone, an iron ore reduction zone, a metallic iron discharge zone ( 3 ), accumulation means ( 6 ) communicating at an inlet end with the metallic iron discharge zone ( 3 ) and at an outlet end with gas sealing means ( 7 ). The accumulation means may accumulate the metallic iron along with the off-gases from the reduction process.

1 . Reduction furnace ( 1 ), defining a longitudinal axis, for the production of metallic iron by means of a direct reduction process of iron ore comprising an iron ore input zone, an iron ore reduction zone, and a metallic iron discharge zone, characterised in that it comprises accumulation means ( 6 ) communicating at an inlet end with said metallic iron discharge zone and at an outlet end with gas sealing means ( 7 ), said accumulation means ( 6 ) being suitable for accumulating said metallic iron along with the off-gases from the reduction process. 
   
   
       2 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 1 , comprising a duct ( 4 ), inserted into the metallic iron discharge zone, to feed said metallic iron into a cooling vessel ( 5 ). 
   
   
       3 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 2 , comprising regulating means ( 3 ) for controlling a flow of metallic iron being discharged from said discharge zone of the furnace ( 1 ). 
   
   
       4 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 3 , wherein said regulating means ( 3 ) direct said flow simultaneously or alternately to said accumulation means ( 6 ) and to said duct ( 4 ). 
   
   
       5 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 4 , wherein said accumulation means ( 6 ) slope in relation to the longitudinal axis of said reduction furnace ( 1 ). 
   
   
       6 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 5 , wherein said accumulation means ( 6 ) are basically cylindrical in shape and arranged at a slope of more than 30° in relation to the longitudinal axis of the reduction furnace ( 1 ). 
   
   
       7 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 4 , wherein said regulating means comprise a blade ( 3 ) arranged transversely in relation to the flow of the metallic iron, adapted to oscillate. 
   
   
       8 . Reduction furnace according to  claim 7 , wherein said regulating means comprise metallic iron flow promoting means ( 8 ) associated with the blade ( 3 ) and that can be operated in a reciprocally coordinated way to prevent bridging of the metallic iron in the lower end part of the reactor ( 1 ).