Elkem Technology A/s

Robin Ephithite

Toralv Basen

The present invention relates to a method for production of metals and/or ferro alloys by prereduction of particulate metal oxide co-current with a reducing gas. Reducing gas having a temperature between 650.degree. and 1100.degree. C. and metal oxide particles are supplied at the lower end of a substantially vertical prereduction column which comprises at least two chambers having a substantially circular cross-section, said chambers in their upper and lower ends having a decreasing cross-section and where a ringshaped member for decreasing the cross-section is arranged in the intermediate zone between the chambers. The mixture of reducing gas and prereduced metal oxide particles is collected at the top of the prereduction column, whereafter the prereduced metal oxide particles are transported to a smelting furnace for smelting and final reduction to metallix state by addition of a reduction material. The present invention also relates to a column for treatment of particulate solid materials with a gas. The column comprises at least two chambers having a substantially circular cross-section. The chambers have in their upper and lower ends a dreasing cross-section, and a ringshaped member is arranged at least in the intermediate zone between each chamber for decreasing the cross-section in the intermediate zone.

Column for treating particulate materials with a gas

The present invention relates to a method for production of metals and/or ferro alloys by prereduction of particulate metal oxide co-current with a reducing gas. Reducing gas having a temperature between 650.degree. and 1100.degree. C. and metal oxide particles are supplied at the lower end of a substantially vertical prereduction column which comprises at least two chamber having a substantially circular cross-section, said chambers in their upper and lower ends having a decreasing cross-section and where a ringshaped member for decreasing the cross-section is arranged in the intermediate zone between the chambers. The mixture of reducing gas and prereduced metal oxide particles is collected at the top of the prereduction column, whereafter the prereduced metal oxide particles are transported to a smelting furnace for smelting and final reduction to metallic state by addition of a reduction material. The present invention also relates to a column for treatment of particulate solid materials with a gas. The column comprises at least two chambers having a substantially circular cross-section. The chambers have in their upper and lower ends a decreasing cross-section, and a ringshaped member is arranged at least in the intermediate zone between each chamber for decreasing the cross-section in the intermediate zone.

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Fredrikstad, Norway

Robin Ephithite