Abstract Mill scale and other similar materials containing iron oxide are recycled by mixing the scale with carbon and a binder, the mixture being formed into compacts of low compressive strength. These are dispersed throughout a scrap charge for an electric arc steelmaking furnace wherein the charge is melted from the bottom up, a substantial part of the melting being by radiation from a molten pool of metal initially formed at the bottom of the furnace. Because of this radiation, the carbon in the compact reacts with the iron oxide to reduce it to iron at a temperature of about 2300*F and before the molten pool ascends to the compact during a melting operation. The invention thus eliminates the need for pre-reduction of the compacts as is necessary in other types of pelletizing or briquetting techniques.
A METHOD FOR MELTING STEEL IN AN ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE WHICH COMPRISES CHARGING INTO SAID FURNACE SCRAP HAVING DISPERSED THEREIN COMPACTS COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF ESSENTIALLY ENTIRELY UNREDUCED IRON OXIDE, CARBON AND AN AIR-DRYING BINDER, AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO FLOW BETWEEN ELECTRODES DISPOSED WITHIN THE FURNACE SO AS TO FORM A MOLTEN POOL OF METAL AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID FURNACE, THE SURFACE LEVEL OF SAD POOL RISING AS THE SCRAP MELTS WITH THE HEAT FROM SAID POOL AND THE ELECTRODES CAUSING SAID CARBON TO REACT WITH THE IRON OXIDE TO REDUCE THE SAME TO IRON BEFORE THE SURFACES OF THE MOLTEN POOL REACHES A COMPACT AND MELTS THE SAME.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
112 words
A METHOD FOR MELTING STEEL IN AN ELECTRIC ARC FURNACE WHICH COMPRISES CHARGING INTO SAID FURNACE SCRAP HAVING DISPERSED THEREIN COMPACTS COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF ESSENTIALLY ENTIRELY UNREDUCED IRON OXIDE, CARBON AND AN AIR-DRYING BINDER, AND CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO FLOW BETWEEN ELECTRODES DISPOSED WITHIN THE FURNACE SO AS TO FORM A MOLTEN POOL OF METAL AT THE BOTTOM OF SAID FURNACE, THE SURFACE LEVEL OF SAD POOL RISING AS THE SCRAP MELTS WITH THE HEAT FROM SAID POOL AND THE ELECTRODES CAUSING SAID CARBON TO REACT WITH THE IRON OXIDE TO REDUCE THE SAME TO IRON BEFORE THE SURFACES OF THE MOLTEN POOL REACHES A COMPACT AND MELTS THE SAME.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said reaction of carbon with iron oxide to form iron is completed at a temperature of about 2300*F.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the compacts are essentially evenly distributed throughout said charge.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said compacts are contained within said charge in layers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of initially forming said compacts with a compressive strength of about 500 pounds per square inch.