Title of Invention

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING MOLTEN IRON

Abstract The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing molten irons. The method for manufac- turing molten irons includes providing a mixture containing iron by drying and mixing iron ores and additives; passing the mixture containing iron through one or more successively-connected fluidized bebs to convert the mixture into a reducing material that is roduced and calcined forming a coal packed bed, which is a heat source in which the reducing material has been melted; charging the reducing material to the coal packed bed and supplying reducing gas exhausted from the coal packed bed to the fluidized bed. In the providing a mixture containing iron, exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized bed is branched to dry at least one of the iron ores and the additives. The apparatus for manufacturing molten irones uses this method for manufacturing molten irons. Through the use of the present invention, at least one of iron ores and additives is dried and conveyed to thereby enhance energy efficiency and minimize the amount of required equipment.
Full Text
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for
manufacturing molten irons, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for
manufacturing molten irons in which iron ores and additives are dried white being
10 conveyed, and, then by the sensible heat of exhaust gas of a fluidized-bed reactors,
the iron ores and additives are charged to the fluidized-bed reactors to the thereby
manufacture molten irons.
(b) Description of the Related Art
The iron and steel industry is a core industry that supplies the basic
15 materials needed in construction and in the manufacture of automobiles, ships,
home appliances, and many of the other products we use. It is also an industry with
one of the longest histories that has progressed together with humanity. In an iron
foundry, which plays a pivotal roll in the iron and steel industry, after molten irons
(i.e., pig iron in a molten state) are produced using iron ores and coats as raw
20 materials, steel is produced from the molten irons then supplied to customer.
Approximatety 60% of the world's iron production is realized using the blast
furnace method developed in the 14th century. ln the blast furnace method, coke
produced using as raw materials iron ores and bituminous coal that have undergone
a sintering process are placed in a blast furnace, and oxygen is supplied to the
25 furnace to reduce the iron ores to iron to thereby manufacture molten irons. The
blast furnace method, which is a main aspect of molten Irons production, requires
raw materials having a hardness of at least a predetermined level and grain size that
can ensure ventilation in the furnace. Coke in which a specific raw coal that has
undergone procassing is needed 35 a carbon source used as fuel and a reducing
30 agent Also, sintered ore that has undergone a successive compacting process is
needed as an iron source. Accordingly, in the modern blast furnace method, it is
necessary to include raw material preparation and processing equipment such as
coke manufacturing equipment and sintering equipment. Therefore, not only is it
1

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
necessary to obtain accessory equipment in addition to the blast furnace, but
equipment to prevent and minimize the generation of pollution in the accessory
equipment ta needed. The amount of investment therefore, is considerable,
ultimately increasing manufacturing costs.
5 In order to solve these problems of the blast furnace method, significant
effort is being put forth in iron foundries all over the world to develop a smelting
reduction process that produces molten irons by directly using fine coal as fuel and
a reducing agent, and also directly using fine ores, which make up over 80% of the
world's ore production, as an iron source.
10 The smelting reduction process typically uses a two-stage process of
preliminary reduction and final reduction. The conventional molten Iron
manufacturing apparatus includes a fluidized-bed reactor that forms fluidized beds,
and a melter-gasifier that forms coal packed bed and that is connected thereto. Iron
ores and additives at room temperature are charged in the fluidized-bed reactor to
15 undergo preliminary reduction. Since high-temperature reduced gas is supplied from
trie metter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reactor, that iron ores and additives increase
in temperature as a result of making contact with the high-temperature reduced gas.
At the same time, 90% or more of the iron ores and additives at room temperature
are reduced, and 30% or more of the same are calcined and charged to the melter-
20 gasifier.
Coal is supplied to the meller-gasifier to form a coal packed bed, and the
iron ones and additives at room temperature undergo smelting and slagging in the
coal packed bed to be discharged as molten irons and slag. Oxygen is supplied
through a plurality of tuyeres installed to an outer wall of the melter-gasifier such that
25 the coal packed bed is burned and then the oxygen is converted into high
temperature reduced gas, after which the high temperature reduced gas is supplied
to the fluidized-bed reactor. Following reduction of the iron ones and additives at
room temperature, they are exhausted outside. A temperature of the emitted
exhaust gas is approximately 680ºC, and a pressure thereof is 1.7—2.5bar.
30 In the case where iron ores are charged to the fluidized-bed reactor for
reduction into reduced iron, in order to prevent the reduced iron from sticking to the
fluidized-bed reactor and in order to prevent thermal loss in the melter-gasifier,
additives such as limestone and delomite are charged to the fludized-bed reactor
2

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
together with the iron ones. The additives are typically around 15-20% of the total
amount of the charged material.
Prior to charging the iron ores and additives to the fluidized-bed reactor, the
iron ores and additives are dried in a drying apparatus to thereby ensure the free
5 Row of these materials in the fluidized-bed reactor. To perform this operation hot air
is supplied to the drying apparatus to dry the iron ores and the additives. Since the
iron ores makes up 80% or more of the combination with the additives, overall
operating conditions are determined based on the requirements of the iron ore.
However, because the additives have a grain size and density that are less than that
10 of the iron one, a significant amount of loss of the additives with a small grain size
occurs if dried under the same conditions as the iron ore. Further, the drying
apparatus frequently malfunctions since a substantial load is given to the same in
order to realize favorably drying. Finally, 50% or more of the iron ores become fine
ore of 1mm or less to thereby clog the drying apparatus, thereby necessitating
15 frequent production stoppages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above
problems. This present invention provides an apparatus and method for
30 manufacturing molten irons in which exhaust gas of a fluidized-bed reactor is used
as conveying gas for conveying iron ores and additives, and, at the same time, its
sensible heat is used to dry the iron ores and the additives such that costs
associated with drying are reduced.
A method for manufacturing molten irons includes the steps of providing a
15 mixture containing iron by drying and mixing iron ores and additives; passing the
mixture containing iron through one or more successively-connected fluidized beds
to convert the mixture into a reducing material that is reduced and calcined; forming
a coal packed bed, which is a heat source in which the reducing material has been
melted; charging the reducing material to the coal packed bed and supplying oygen
30 to the coal packed, bed to manufacture molten irons; and supplying reducing gas
exhausted from the coal packed bed to the fluidized bed. In the step of providing a
mixture containing iron, exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized bed is branched to
dry at least one of the iron ores and the additives.
3

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
ln the step of providing a mixture containing iron, at least one of the iron
ores and the additives may be dried immediately prior to supply to the fluidized bed.
The step of providing a mixture containing iron may include discharging
stored iron ores and additives; drying the iron ores and additives using separate
5 heating air while vibrating the same; storing the drived iron ores and additives; and
supplying the stoned iron ores and additives to the fluidized bed.
Preferably, In the step of providing a mixture containing iron, an amount of
branched exhaust gas is 20—40% of an amount of exhaust gas exhausted from the
fluidized bed.
10 Preferably, in the step of providing a mixture containing iron, at least one of
the iron ores and the additives is conveyed and simultaneously dried.
Further, in the step of providing a mixture containing iron, a flow rate of
exhaust gas is preferably. 20- 30m/s in the case where the iron ores are conveyed,
and a flow rate of exhaust gas is preferably 10—20m/s in the case where additives
15 are conveyed.
Preferably, in the step of providing a mixture containing iron, the iron ores
are fine ores having a grain size of 8mm or Iess.
The apparatus for manufacturing iron includes a conveying line for drying
and conveying iron ores and additives; one or more fluidized-bed reactors that
20 reduce and calcine the iron ores and additives supplied from the conveying line to
perform conversion, into reducing material; a melter-gasifier for changing the
reducing material and receiving the supply of oxygen to manufacture iron; a
reducing gas supply line for supplying reducing gas exhausted from the melter-
gasifier to the fluidized-bed reactors; and a exnaust gas branch line for branching
25 exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized-bed resrtors and supplying the same to
the conveying line.
The apparatus may further include a hopper for each of the iron ores and
the additives; and a bypass line connected to the hoppers and supplying the iron
ores and additives to the conveying line.
30 The apparatus may further include a drying assembly for drying the iron
ores and additives supplied to the hopper; a storage bin connected to the drying
assembly and for storing the dried iron ores and additive; and a conveyor belt
connected to the storage bin and providing the iron ones and additives to the
4

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
to the melter-gasifier 10 to thereby produced molten irons. Reduced gas exhausted
from the melter-gasifier 10 is used to reduce and calcine iron ores and additives
through a fluidized-bed reactor, after which the reduced gas is exhausted to the outside.
5 Elements included in the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons will now
be described in more detail.
The fluidized-bed reactor unit 20 includes a rock, hopper 21 that is charged
with an iron-containing compound in which dry iron ores and additives are mixed,
and ore or more fluidized-bed reactors having a fluidizad bed therein. An
10 intermediate charge means is provided in the rock hopper 21 shown in FIG. 1, and.
allows for iron ores and additives to be charged to the fluidized-bed reactor that is
maintained at a pressure from a normal pressure to 1.5 —3.Q atmospheres.
The fluidized-bed reactors include a pre-heating reactor 23 for pre-heating
the charged iron-containing compound, a preliminary reducing reactor 25 for
15 performing preliminary reduction of the iron-containing compouno pre-heated in the
pre-heating, reactor 23, and a final reducing reactor 27 for performing final reduction
of the iron-containing compound that is reduced in the preliminary reducing reactor
25. In FIG. 1, although the fluidized-bed reactors are shown to include three stages,
such a configuration is for illustrative purposes and the present invention is not
20 limited in this regard. Accordingly, a variety of different numbers of stages may be
usert for the fiuidized bed reactors. The iron ores and additives supplied to the
fluidized-bed reactors forming a fluidized bed by contacting a high temperature
reduced gas current therewith, and it is converted into a high temperature reduced
material that is at a temperature of 80ºC or more, is 80% or more reduced, and is
25 30% or more calcined.
Although not shown in FIG. 1, to prevent scattering loss when reduced
material discharged from the fluidized-bed reactors is directly charged to the melter-
gasifier 10, a hot compacting apparatus may be mounted between these elements.
Further, a hot intermediate vessel 12 is provided for supplying the reduced material
30 discharged from the fluidized-bed reactors to the melter-gasifier 10 to thereby make
supply of the reduced material to the melter-gasifier 10 easy.
Lump coal or shaped coal realized by pressing fine coal is supplied to the
melter-gasifier 10 to form a coal packed bed. The lump coal or shaped coal supplied
6

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
fluidized-bed reactors.
Preferably, the conveying fine is extended vertically, exhaust gas is
supplied to a lower part of the conveying line, and the iron ores and additives are
supplied to the conveying line at a position 1 —2m higher than the supply position of
5 the conveying line.
Preferably, a flow speed of the exhaust gas in the conveying line is
Preferably, an amount of branched exhaust gas is 20-40% of an amount
of exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized-bed reactors.
10 Further, the iron ores are preferably fine ares having a grain size of 8mm or
less.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
15 FIG. 2. is a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
20 detail with reference to the accommpanying drawings. It should be clearly understood
that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventiva concepts may
appear to those skilled in the present art. The embodiments are to be regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons
25 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus dries and
conveys iron ores and additives, and supplies the same to a fluidized-bed reactor.
An apparatus 100 for manufacturing molten irons according to a first
embodiment of the present invention includes the main elements of a fluidized-bed
reactor unit 20, a melter-gasifier 10, a raw material supplying unit 60 and other
30 accessory equipments. The fluidized-bed reactof Unit 20 includes one or more
fluidizedS-bed reactors having a fluidized bed therein, and acts to reduce and calcine
iron ores and additives to reduced material. The reduced material is charged to the
melter-gasifier 10, which includes a coal packed bed therein, and oxygen is supplied
5

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
to the melter-gasifier 10 is gasified by a pyrolysis reaction at an upper area of the
coal packed bed and by a combustion reaction by oxygen at a lower area of the coal
packed bed. Hot reduced gas generated in the melter-gasifier 10 by the gasified
reaction is supplied in succession to the fluidized-bed reactors through a reduced
5 gas supply line L59, which is connected to a rear and of the final reducing reactor 27,
to be used as a reducing agent and fluidized gas.
A dome-shaped empty space is formed to an area above a coal packed
bed of the melter-gasifier 10. The flow rate of gas is reduced by the empty space
such tnat large amounts of fine powder included in the charged reduced material
10 and fine powder generated as a result of an abrupt increase in temperature of coal
charged in the melter-gasifier 10 are prevented from being discharged out of the
meltar-gasifier 10. Further, such a configuration, allows for absorbing of variations in
pressure in the melter-gasifier 10 caused by irregular changes in the amount of gas
generated as a result of directly using coal. The coal is gasified and removes volatile
15 members therein while dropping to the bottom of the coal packed bed, and is
ultimately burned as a result of oxygen supplied through tuyeres at the bottom of tha
melter-gasifier The generated combustion gas raises through the coal packed bed,
and is converted into high temperature reduced gas and exhausted to outside the
melter-gasifier 10. Part of the combustion gas is scrubbed and cooled while passing
20 through water collecting devices 51 and 53 such that pressure applied to the melter-
gasifier 10 is maintained within the range of 3.0-3.5 atmospheres.
A cyclone 14 collects exhaust gas generated in the melter-gasifier 10 such
that dust is again supplied to the melter-gasifier 10, and gas is supplied as reduced
gas to the fluidized-bed reactors through the reduced gas supply line L59.
25 Reduced iron drops to the bottom of the coal packed bed together with the
coal to undergo final reduction and smelling by combustion gas and combustion
heat generated by gasifying and combusting coal, after which the iron is exhausted
to the outside.
The raw material supplying unit 60 that uses the exhaust gas exhausted
30 from the fluidized-bed reactors includes an iron ore hopper 30, an additive hopper
40, and a, conveying, line L57, and acts to dry and convey iron ores and additives to
the fluidized-bed reactor unit 20, iron ores and additives discharged respectively
from the iron ore hopper 30 and the additive hopper 40 are supplied to the rock
7

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
hopper 21 through the conveying Itna L57 connected to an iron ores supply Iine L30
and an additive supply line L40. Among the fluidized-bed reactors, part of the
exhaust gas exhausted from the pre-heating reactor 23 is supplied to the conveying
line L57 through a branched exhaust gas branched line L55. The conveying line L57
5 is extended vertically, and iron ores and additives are supplied to the conveying line
L57 at a location 1 —2m higher than the supply position of exhaust gas. If iron ores
and additives are supplied from a location 1 -2m higher than the supply position of
exhaust gas, scattering loss of the iron ones and additives occurring during drying
and conveying is minimized, and the area of contact with the exhaust gas is
10 maximized such that it is possible to dry and convey the iron ores and additives very
efficiently. The supply position of the iron ones and additives from the conveying line
157 shown in FIG. 1 is used for illustrative purposes and does not restrict the
present invention. Accordingly, it is only necessary that the conditions described
above be satisfied.
15 Iron ores and additives are died and conveyed by the exhaust gas exiting
the exhaust gas branched line L55 that is connected to the lower port of the
conveying fine L57 to be charged in the rock hopper 21. The amount of exhaust gas
branched and used in diving and conveying is preferably 20—40% of the exhaust
gas amount exhausted from the fluidized-bed reactors. If this amount of exhaust-gas
20 is used, an amount of dried and conveyed iron ores and additives is sufficient to
manufacture molten irons.
If iron ores having a grain size of 8mm or less is used, volume and density
are relatively low such mat a smooth supply to the rock hopper 21 is possible.
Further, a suitable flow speed of the exhaust gas in the conveying line L57 is
25 10-30m/s. If the flow speed of the exhaust gas is less than 10m/s. the pressure at
the bottom part of the conveying line L57 increases to destabilize the flow of the
exhaust gas. On the other hand, it the flow of the exhausit gas exceeds 30m/s.
scattering loss may occur.
Hence, by using the exhaust gas as a conveying gas of the iron ores and
30 additives and drying the same by the sensible heat of the exhaust gas, the exhaust
gas may be recycled to thereby save energy, and drying may be stably realized.
Since drying and conveying occur simultaneously in the conveying line L57, the
number of different types of equipment used for drying and conveying is significantly
8

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
reduced. Especially, the amount of iron ores ami additives, supplied to the conveying
line L57 may be adjusted respectively by an iron ore valve V30 and an additive
valve V40, and the amount of the exhaust gas supplied to tha conveying line L57
may be adjusted by an exhaust gas valve V55.
5 In the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons according to the first
embodiment of the present invention, iron ores and additives are selectively
supplied to the conveying line L57 according to operating conditions to thereby
realize drying and conveying. in the case where additives are supplied to the
conveying line L57 to realize drying and conveying. the valve V40 is opened while
10 the valve V30 is closed such that only the additives are dried and conveyed. In this
case, the flow speed of the exhaust gas supplied to the conveying line L57 is
preferably 1u~20m/s. If the flow speed of the exhaust gas is less than 10m/s,
additives charged to a lower part of the conveying line L57 are not fully transported
in the conveying line L57, and some particles are accumulated in the lower part of
15 the conveying line L57. Therefore, a pressure at the lower part of the conveying line
L57 is significantly increased such that flow in the conveying line L57 is made
unstable. On the other hand, a flow speed of the exhaust gas exceeding 20m/s
not suitable since the grain size of the additives is too small. Here the amount of
iron ores that is processed is approximately 100~ 130 tons/day, and the amount of
20 additives processed is approximately 15—30 tons/day.
Further, in the case where iron ones are supplied to the conveying line L57
to be dried and conveyed, the valve V30 is opened while the valve V40 is dosed
such that only the iron ores are dried and conveyed. In this case, the flow speed of
the exhaust gas supplied to the conveying line L57 is preferably slightly greater. As
20 a result of the greater particle size and density of the iron ores compared to the
additives, the Flow speed of the exhaust gas is preferabty 20-30m/s. As described
above, the iron ores and additives may be separately dried and conveyed as in the
first embodiment of the present invention, or may be mixed then dried and conveyed.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an spparatus for manufacturing molten it irons
30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
An apparatus 200 for manufacturing molten irons according to the second
embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 is identical to that of the first
embodiment except for a raw material supply unit 65. Aocordingly, elements of the
9

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
apparatus 200 for manufacturing molten irons identical to the elements of the first
embodiment wilI not be described, and the explanation will be concentrated on the
raw material supply unit 65.
As shown in FIG. 2. the raw material supply unit 65 includes the iron ore
5 hopper 30, the additive hopper 40, a drying assembly 61, an iron ore storage bin 34.
an additive storage bin 44, and conveyor belts 63 and 66.
An iron ore supply line L31 connected to the iron ore hopper 30 and an
additive supply line L41 connected to the additive hopper 40 are connected to the
drying assembly 61 to supply iron ores and additives thereto. The drying assembly
10 61 supplies hot air to a lower area of its dispersing plate such that iron ores and
additives are dried white being vibrated to a fluidized bed state. Iran ores and
additives dried in the drying assembly 81 are stored respectively in the iron ore
storage bin 34 and the additive storage bin 44. The dried and stored iron ores and
additives are transmitted by the first conveyor belt 63. The first conveyor belt 63 is
15 connected to the vertical second conveyor belt 65 such that the dried iron ores and
additives are charged to the rock hopper 21.
The second embodiment of the present invention is used by connecting the
conveying line L57 to the above apparatus. Iron ores are supplied to the conveying
line L57 through an iron ore by pass Line L33 connected to the iron one supply line
30 L31, and additives are supplied to the conveying line L57 through an additive
bypass line L43 connected to the additive supply line L41. Accordingly, iron ores
and additives are formed into an iron-containing mixture and dried immediately prior
to supply to the fluidized-bed reactors having fluidized beds.
Especially, the apparatus 200 for manufacturing molten irons of the second
25 embodiment provides particular convenience by using the bypass lines L33 and L43
when the drying assembly 61 malfunctions or an excessivg load is given to the
drying assembly B1.
That is, in the case where the drying assembly 61 malfunctions, valves V31
and V41 directed to the drying assembly 61 are closed, while valves L33 and L43
30 respectively mounted on the bypass lines L33 and L43 are opened such that iron
ores and additives are directly supplied to the conveying line L57. Further, the valve
V55 is opened such that exhaust gas is supplied to the conveying line L57 through
the exhaust gas branched line L55, resulting in drying and conveying iron ores and
10

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
additives to the rock hopper 21. Accordingly, iron ores and additives are
continuously dried and conveyed to enable charging to the fluidized-bed reactors,
thereby allowing the manufacture of molten irons to be more flexibly performed.
In the case where a significant load is applied to the drying assembly 61.
5 the valves V33 and V43 are opened in a state where both the valves V31 and V41
directed to the drying assembly 61 are opened such that part of the iron ores and
additives supplied to the drying assembly 61 are supplied to the conveying line L57.
Therefore, the load applied to the drying assembly 61 is minimized.
The present invention will be described in greater detail below through an
10 experimental example. This experimental example merely illustrates the present
invention and is not meant to limit the present invention.
Experimental Example
Iron ores and additives of limestone were dried and conveyed through a
conveying line. The properties of the iron ores and additives used in this case are as
15 shown in Table I below.
Table 1

Among the exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized-bed reactors,
20—40% was branched and supplied to the conveying line. The details of the
20 exhaust gas supplied to the conveying line are as shown in Table 2 below.
Table 2

11

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
In the case where iron ores and the additives of limestone are each
supplied to the conveying line, the size of the conveying line extended vertically, and
the gas flow rate and pressure drops in the conveying line are as shown in Table 3
below.
5 Tabla 3

Results of comparing water content prior to drying and following drying and
conveying of the iron ores and additives in the conveying line are shown in Table 4
below.
10 Table4

As shown in Table 4. when the iron ores and additives are dried through
the conveying line, the amount of water content therein is significantly reduced,
thereby indicatirg that conveying and drying are efficiently realized.
15 The present indention has the advantage of being able to use Fine ores and
fine additives. That is by using iron was and additives of a minimal grain size, these
materials may be conveyed and simultaneously dried using exhaust gas.
In the present invention, since exhausted gas amitted from fluidized beds are
branched and used, the amount of waste gas is reduced and energy may be reused.
20 In particular, by drying the iron ores and additives immidiately prior to
supplying the same to fluidized beds, pre-heating and reduction rates in the fluidized
beds are further increased.
Also, since the present invention may be applied to general drying
12

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
assemblies, precautions may ba taken against any problems that may occur with the
drying assembly and load applied to the drying assembly may be dispersed such
that the apparatus for an manufacturing molten irons may be more flexibly operated.
A mixture containing iron is reduced using multiple stages of fluidized beds
5 such that a reduction material that has been fully reduced and calcined may be
obtained.
Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in
detail herein above in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it should be
understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments,
10 but, on the contrary is intended: to cover various modifications and/or equivalent
arrange merits included within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as
defined in the appended claims.
13

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method for manufacturing molten irons, comprising the steps of:
providing a mixture containing iron by drying and mixing iron ores and
additives;
5 passing the mixture containing iron through one or more successively-
connected fluidized beds to convert the mixture into a reducing material that is
reduced and calcined;
forming a coal packed bed, which is a heat source in which the reducing
material has been melted;
10 Changing the reducing material to the coal packed bed and supplying
oxygen to the fluidized bed to manufacture molten irons; and
supplying reducing gas exhausted from the coal packed bed to the fluidized
bed.
wherein in the step of providing a mixture containing iron, exhaust gas
15 exhausted from the fluidized bed is branched to dry at least one of the iron ores and
the additives.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of providing a mixture
containing iron, at least one of the iron ores and the additives is dried immiediately
prior to supply to the fluidized bed.
20 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a mixture
containing iron comprises the step of:
discharging stored iron ores and additives;
drying the iron ores and additives using separate heating air while vibrating
the iron ores and additives;
25 storing the dried iron ores and additives; and
supplying the stared ores ares and additives to the fluidized bed.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of providingg a mixture
containing iron, an amount of branched exnaust gas is 20-40% of an amount of
exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized bed.
30 5.The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of providing a mixture
containing iron, at least one of the iron ores and the additives is conveyed and
simultaneously dried.
8. Tha method of claim 5, wherein in the step of providing a mixture
14

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
containing iron, a flow rate of the exhaust gas is 20~30m/s in the case where the
iron ores are conveyed,
7. The method of claim 5, wherein in the step of providing a mixture
containing iron, a flow rate of the exhaust gas is 10-20m/s in the case where
5 additives are conveyed.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein in the step of providing a mixture
containing iron, the iron ores are fine ores having a grain size of 8mm or less.
9. An apparatus for manufacturing molten irons, comprising:
a conveying line for drying and conveying iron ores and additives;
10 one or more fluidized-bed reactors that reduce and calcine the iron ores
and tha additives supplied from the conveying line to perform conversion, into
reducing material;
a matter-gasifier for charging the reducing material and receiving the supply
of oxygen to manufacture molten irons;
15 a reducing gas supply line for supplying reducing gas exhausted from the
melter-gasifier to the fluidized-bed reactors; and
a exhaust gas branch line for branching exhaust gas exhausted from the
fluidized-bed reactors and supplying the exhaust gas to the conveying line.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:
20 a hopper for each of the iron ores and the additives; and
a bypass line connected to the hoppers and supplying the iron ores and
additives to the conveying line.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:
a drying assembly for drying the iron ores and additives supplied to the
21 hopper,
a storage bin connected to the drying assembly and for storing the dried
iron ores and additives; and
a conveyor belt connected to the storage bin and providing the iron ores
and additives to the fluidized-bed reactors.
30 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the conveying line is extended
vertically, exhaust gas is supplied to a lower port of the conveying fine, and the iron
ores and additives are supplied to the conveying line at a position 1~2m higher
than the supply position of exhaust gas.
15

WO 2004/057037 PCT/KR2003/002814
13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a flow speed of the exhaust gas in
the conveying line is 10-30m/s.
14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein an amount of benched exhaust gas
is 20-40% of an amount of exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized-bed reactors.
5 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the iron ores are fine ores having a
grain size of 8mm or less.
16

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing molten irons. The method for manufac-
turing molten irons includes providing a mixture containing iron by drying and mixing iron ores and additives; passing the mixture
containing iron through one or more successively-connected fluidized bebs to convert the mixture into a reducing material that is
roduced and calcined forming a coal packed bed, which is a heat source in which the reducing material has been melted; charging
the reducing material to the coal packed bed and supplying reducing gas exhausted from the coal packed bed to the fluidized bed.
In the providing a mixture containing iron, exhaust gas exhausted from the fluidized bed is branched to dry at least one of the iron
ores and the additives. The apparatus for manufacturing molten irones uses this method for manufacturing molten irons. Through the
use of the present invention, at least one of iron ores and additives is dried and conveyed to thereby enhance energy efficiency and
minimize the amount of required equipment.

Documents:


Patent Number 217418
Indian Patent Application Number 01052/KOLNP/2005
PG Journal Number 13/2008
Publication Date 28-Mar-2008
Grant Date 26-Mar-2008
Date of Filing 02-Jun-2005
Name of Patentee POSCO
Applicant Address 1 GOEDONG-DONG, NAM-KU, 790-300 POHANG-SHI, KYUNGSANGBUK-DO, KOREA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 NAM KUNG-WONG SAN 32, HYOJA-DONG, NAM-KU, 790-330 POHANG-CITY, KYUNGSANGBUK-DO, KOREA.
2 CHO MIN-YOUNG SAN 32, HYOJA-DONG, NAM-KU, 790-330 POHANG-CITY, KYUNGSANGBUK-DO, KOREA.
3 JUNG YOUNG-CHAE SAN 32, HYOJA-DONG, NAM-KU, 790-330 POHANG-CITY, KYUNGSANGBUK-DO, KOREA.
4 JANG YOUNG-JAE SAN 32, HYOJA-DONG, NAM-KU, 790-330 POHANG-CITY, KYUNGSANGBUK-DO, KOREA.
5 HAUZENBERGER F VOEST-ALPINE INDUSTRIEANLAGENBAUGMBH, TURMSTRASSE 44, A-4031 LINZ, AUSTRIA.
PCT International Classification Number C21B 13/00
PCT International Application Number PCT/KR2003/002814
PCT International Filing date 2003-12-23
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10-2002-0082630 2002-12-23 Republic of Korea