Metal from ore fines and baghouse dust

In ScanArc's plasma-based smelting reduction processes, the reactions take place in a coke-filled shaft furnace with tuyeres spaced symmetrically around the lower part of the furnace. The shaft is completely filled with coke.

Plasma generators and equipment for injection of metal oxides mixed with slag forming material and possibly reducing agents are attached to the tuyeres. In front of each tuyere a cavity is formed inside the coke column where reduction and smelting take place. At regular intervals the produced slag and metal are tapped from the bottom of the shaft furnace. In the case of iron ore smelting the off-gas from the furnace, consisting mainly of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, can be used for prereduction of the ore.

In other applications of the process, such as reclaiming of alloying metals from baghouse dust, the produced gas is utilised as a fuel gas. If the raw material contains metals with high vapour pressures, for example zinc and lead, these metals leave the furnace with the off-gas. The off-gas then passes through a condenser where the metals are recovered from the gas.