System and method for feeding an electric furnace
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2024752605
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-02-08
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-08
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-17
AI Technical Summary
Current electric furnace feeding systems face inefficiencies due to the separate charging of direct reduced iron (DRI), reductants, and fluxes, which can lead to oxidation, excess materials, and inconsistent reactions, affecting the carbon intensity and overall efficiency of the iron reduction process.
A method and system for combining DRI, reductants, and fluxes into a homogeneous mixture upstream of the electric furnace, using a feed collection and mixing unit to create a thermally and compositionally uniform feed, which is then charged to the furnace, reducing excess materials and oxidation, and allowing for less carbon-intensive iron reduction processes.
The homogeneous feed mixture ensures consistent composition and thermal distribution across the furnace, minimizing variations in reactions and reducing carbon intensity, thereby enhancing the efficiency and stability of the iron reduction process.