Process for production of high-manganese iron alloy by smelting reduction

Abstract

There is provided a process for producing a high-manganese iron alloy from a manganese ore and/or a pre-reduced product thereof in a top and bottom blown converter type reaction vessel holding molten iron or a molten manganese iron alloy, together with a molten slag, said molten iron or alloy and said molten slag being the products of a separate smelting furnace, gas being blown into said vessel through a bottom blowing nozzle, said process comprising charging said vessel with a supply of raw materials including at least one source of manganese and iron selected from a manganese ore containing manganese oxide and iron oxide and a pre-reduced product thereof, a solid carbonaceous substance and a slag forming agent, while simultaneously blowing gas selected from oxygen and a gas containing oxygen into said vessel through a top blowing lance to burn said carbonaceous substance so as to heat, melt and reduce said raw materials to form a melt containing manganese oxide and iron oxide; supplying an additional carbonaceous substance into said melt to reduce said manganese oxide and said iron oxide to form a molten high-manganese iron alloy and a molten slag, discontinuing said blowing of gas through said top blowing lance, and removing said molten high-manganese iron alloy and said molten slag from said vessel, said molten alloy being used for casting.