The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 2010
Filed:
Jul. 31, 2008
Shoichi Kikuchi, Kobe, JP;
Osamu Tsuge, Kobe, JP;
Gilbert Yould Whitten, Charlotte, NC (US);
Brian William Voelker, Charlotte, NC (US);
Shoichi Kikuchi, Kobe, JP;
Osamu Tsuge, Kobe, JP;
Gilbert Yould Whitten, Charlotte, NC (US);
Brian William Voelker, Charlotte, NC (US);
Kobe Steel, Ltd., Kobe-shi, JP;
Abstract
A method for producing metallic iron in which a mixture including a carbonaceous reducing agent and iron oxide is fed onto a hearth of a moving hearth reducing-melting furnace and is then heated so that the iron oxide is reduced and melted. Metallic iron to be obtained is cooled and is then discharged outside the furnace for recovery. Prior to the feed of raw agglomerates, a granular hearth material is bedded on the moving hearth for forming a layered renewable hearth which can be renewed. Part or the entirety of the renewable hearth which was degraded during operation is renewed, and the hearth material for forming a new renewable hearth is fed. The surface of the newly formed hearth is then leveled and mixture is subsequently fed.