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Abstract

The invention is a method and apparatus for producing beneficiated titanium oxides using a modified rotary hearth furnace, that is a finisher-hearth-melter (FHM) furnace. In the method the refractory surface of the hearth is coated with carbonaceous hearth conditioners and refractory compounds, where onto said hearth is charged with pre-reduced agglomerates. The pre-reduced agglomerates is leveled, then heated until molten, and then reacted with the carbon and reducing gas burner gases until any residual iron oxide is converted to iron having a low sulfur content. Fluid slag and molted iron forms melted agglomerates. The fluid slag is rich in titanium. The melted agglomerates are cooled, and then the melted agglomerates and the hearth conditioners, including the refractory compounds, are discharged onto a screen, which separate the melted agglomerates from the hearth conditioner. The hearth conditioner is recycled, and the melted agglomerates are prepared for sale or for additional treatment in a final melter, where the final melter is preferably an electric furnace. Exhaust gases from the FHM furnace are recovered for calcining coal into fuel gases and coke.

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First Claim