Midrex Technologies, Inc.

Midrex International, B.v., Rotterdam, Zurich Branch

Metaltek International, Inc.

Gilbert Y Whitten

Gary Edward Metius

James M McClelland, Jr

Brian William Voelker

Philip Crouch

Gerald Gapinski

Robert Smickley

The present invention provides a reformer tube apparatus, including: an axially aligned tubular structure including a flange section, a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a first portion having a first wall thickness; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a second portion having a second wall thickness; and wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a third portion having a transitioning wall thickness that joins the first portion to the second portion. The flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure includes a plurality of concentric wedge structures disposed about the interior thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure also includes a recess disposed about the exterior thereof. The axially aligned tubular structure further includes a secondary flange section coupled to the flange section, wherein the secondary flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. Optionally, the reformer tube apparatus is disposed within a reformer used in a direct reduction process.

Reformer tube apparatus having variable wall thickness and associated method of manufacture

A method and apparatus for discharging cold product or a combination of cold and hot products from a continuous supply of hot direct reduced iron (&ldquo;DRI&rdquo;) comprising a product cooler connected to a shaft furnace, with downward movement of the hot DRI and upward concurrent flow of cooling gas through the product cooler. The method and apparatus provides for diverting of hot DRI from an upper portion of the cooler for gravitational transfer to an adjacent storage unit located at a lower elevation than the furnace. The product cooler is situated at a lower height in relation to the furnace, for gravity transfer of a continuous supply of hot DRI through an entry point into the cooler. Cooler provides for cooling gas injection into the lower portion of the cooler, with gas flow upward and counter-current to the hot DRI that descends through the cooler. Recovered cooling gas is scrubbed, cooled, and recycled back for injection into the bottom portion of the cooler. The cooled DRI is removed from the bottom portion of the cooler thereby establishing a gravitational movement of DRI through the cooler. Simultaneous to cooling of the DRI material, separate transfer portions of hot DRI material can be diverted at the top of the cooler with gravitational transfer to one or more adjacent storage units for processing.

Direct reduced iron hot/cold discharge system

Growing community of inventors

Mooresville, NC, United States of America

Gilbert Y Whitten