Steel Technology Corporation

Kenneth B Downing

Balu Sarma

Joseph E McGreal

Method for stable operation of a smelter reactor

In order to lower the sulfuric content of the offgas from a smelter reactor in which iron oxide is reduced to molten iron, in the presence of sulfur contaminants, a sufficient amount of a source of zinc is included in the charge to the reactor that the combined weight of the zinc source and the iron oxide source contains at least about 0.6% Zn (calculated as elemental zinc), on a dry weight basis. The temperature of the offgas is maintained at or above approximately 700.degree. C. Vaporized zinc, present in the offgas, binds with sulfur in the offgas to precipitate solid ZnS. After removal of the ZnS, the offgas may have a sulfuric content below 50 ppm by volume of H.sub.2 S equivalent. Suitable sources of zinc include blast furnace dust, electric arc dust, basic oxygen furnace dust, zinc calcine, and zinc sinter.

Method for reducing sulfuric content in the offgas of an iron smelting

A process of smelting iron that comprises the steps of:

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Greenville, SC, United States of America

Kenneth B Downing