Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is intended to provide a method for producing metallic iron, which comprises the steps of supplying a mixture containing a carbonous reducing agent and iron oxides onto a hearth of a reduction melting furnace of the moving hearth type, heating the mixture for reduction melting of the iron oxides, cooling thus-obtained metallic iron, and discharging the metallic iron to the outside of the furnace for recovery. The method can easily remove or repair the surface of a hearth even when metallic iron powder is buried in the hearth surface or even when the hearth surface suffers from slag infiltration and erosion, can increase an availability factor and maintainability of the hearth, and is suitably practiced for long-term continuous operation. The present invention resides in a method for producing metallic iron, wherein a hearth material is laid in the form of a layer on the hearth prior to supply of the mixture, thereby forming a renewable hearth capable of being renewed, and the metallic iron is produced while renewing a part or the whole of the renewable hearth, which has deteriorated during operation, with the hearth material.

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First Claim