Process and an apparatus for producing metals and metal alloys

Abstract

A process for producing metals from a metalliferous feed material in an electric furnace is disclosed. The process includes the steps of forming a molten bath having a metal layer and a slag layer on the metal layer in the furnace and supplying electrical energy to the furnace and converting the electrical energy to thermal energy and thereby contributing to the heat input requirements of the process. The process also includes injecting a carrier gas and a solid carbonaceous material into the molten bath via one or more than one solids injection lance/tuyere and causing molten material to be projected from the molten bath as splashes, droplets, and streams into a space above a nominal quiescent surface of the molten bath and forming a transition zone. The process also includes injecting an oxygen-containing gas into the furnace via one or more than one oxygen-containing gas injection lance/tuyere and post-combusting reaction gases released from the molten bath and thereby further contributing to the heat requirements of the process. In this process the ascending and thereafter descending splashes, droplets, and streams of molten material in the transition zone facilitate heat transfer to the molten bath and the transition zone minimises heat loss from the furnace via the side walls in contact with the transition zone.