Process for the direct reduction of iron oxide-containing materials in a rotary kiln

Abstract From the Canadian patent

A process for the direct reduction of iron oxidecontaining materials to produce sponge iron by a treatment with solid carbonaceous reducing agents in a rotary kiln at a temperature below the softening and melting point of the charge, in which the kiln atmosphere flows opposite to the direction of movement of the charge, at least part of the solid carbonaceous reducing agents is charged in agglomerated form into the rotary kiln at the charging end thereof and oxygen-, containing gases are fed into the rotary kiln. The process is characterized in that highly reactive, solid carbonaceous reducing agents which contain 20-50% volatile constituents are charged in agglomerated form into the rotary …