Process for the production of spongy metal

Abstract

A plant for producing sponge metal, in particular sponge iron, from charging materials consisting of metal ore or iron ore respectively, preferably in lumps and/or pellets, and optionally fluxes, comprising at least one first gas source (,) dispensing a CO— and H,- containing feedgas, a CO,elimination plant (,) and optionally a heating means (,) for the feedgas from the first gas source (,) is provided with a reduction reaction (,) which forms a further gas source for a CO— and H,-containing feedgas and serves for receiving metal ore, a reducing-gas feed duct (,) leading to this reduction reactor (,) and an export-gas discharge duct (,) from said further reduction reactor (,), wherein a conveying duct (,) for at least a portion of the export gas formed in the reduction reactor (,) and serving as a feedgas is flow-connected with the reducing-gas feed duct (,) of the reduction reactor (,) via a CO,elimination plant and optionally a heating means. To increase economic efficiency, the plant is characterized in that at least two CO,elimination plants (,) are provided which are adapted to be connectable in parallel and at least one of which is connectable with the conveying duct (,) for the export gas that is produced in the reduction reactor (,) forming the further gas source and that is conducted as a recycle gas, and at least one CO,elimination plant (,) for the feedgas from the first gas source is provided and each of the CO,elimination plants is flow-connectable with the reduction reactor (,) forming the further gas source (FIG.,).