English to Ukrainian Tech/Engineering Metallurgy / Casting

A method and apparatus for increasing hydrocarbon input to a direct reduction shaft furnace (12) while controlling the temperature uniformity of the center portion (26) of the burden within the furnace (12) wherein the hydrocarbon gases used in the direct reduction may be preheated, which increases the temperature of the hydrocarbon gases, and therefore increases the resultant temperature of the ***upflowing gas*** as it rises from the lower section (66) of the furnace (12) into the center (26) of the burden. Alternatively, a portion of the upflowing gas may be removed before it enters the reduction zone of the furnace. The removed upflowing gas, known as hot bleed gas, may be ducted to the top gas scrubber (32) of the furnace or may be mixed with the main reducing gas stream of the furnace for reintroduction to the furnace. Alternatively, hot reducing gas may be directly injected into the center portion (26) of the burden, offsetting the cooling effect of the upflowing gas. The centrally injected hot reducing gas may be split off from the main reducing gas stream or may be generated by a partial oxidation reactor.