BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing compacted
irons and an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons using the same, and more
particularly, to an apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons by compacting
reduced materials comprising fine direct reduced irons and manufacturing
compacted irons and an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons using the same.
(b) Description of the Related Art
The iron and steel industry is a core industry that supplies the basic materials
needed in construction and in the manufacture of automobiles, ships, home
appliances, etc. Further, it is an industry which has the longest history having
advanced since the dawn of human history. Iron works, which play a pivotal roll
in the iron and steel industry, produce steel from molten iron, and then supply it to
customers, after producing the molten iron (i.e., pig iron in a molten state) using
iron ores and coals as raw materials.
Nowadays, approximately 60% of the world's iron production is produced
using a blast furnace method that has been developed since the 14th century.
According to the blast furnace method, irons ores, which have gone through a
sintering process, and cokes, which are produced using bituminous coals as raw
materials, are charged into a blast furnace together and oxygen is supplied to the
blast furnace to reduce the iron ores to irons, thereby manufacturing molten irons.
The blast furnace method, which is the most popular in plants for manufacturing
molten irons, requires that raw materials have strength of at least a predetermined
level and have grain sizes that can ensure permeability in the furnace, taking into
account reaction characteristics. For that reason, cokes that are obtained by
processing specific raw coals are needed as carbon sources to be used as a fuel and
as a reducing agent. Also, sintered ores that have gone through a successive
agglomerating process are needed as iron sources.

Accordingly, the modern blast furnace method requires raw material preliminary
processing equipment, such as coke manufacturing equipment and sintering equipment
Namely, it is necessary to be equipped with subsidiary facilities in addition to the blast
furnace, and also equipment for preventing and minimizing pollution generated by the
subsidiary facilities. Therefore, the heavy investment in the additional facilities and
equipment leads to increased manufacturing costs.
in order to solve these problems with the blast furnace method, significant effort
is made in iron works all over the world to develop a smelting reduction process that
produces molten irons by directly using fine coals as a fuel and a reducing agent and by
directly using fine ores, which account for more than 80% of the world's ore production.
An installation for manufacturing molten irons directly using raw coals and fine
iron ores is disclosed in US Patent No. 5,534,046. The apparatus for manufacturing
molten Irons disclosed in US Patent No. 5,534,046 includes three-stage fluidized-bed
reactors forming a bubbling fluidized bed therein and a melter-gasifier connected
thereto. The fine iron ores and additives at room temperature are charged into the first
fluidized-bed reactor and successively go through three-stage fluidized-bed reactors.
Since hot reducing gas produced from the melter-gasifier is supplied to the three-stage
fluidized-bed reactors, the temperature of the iron ores and additives is raised by
contact with the hot reducing gas. Simultaneously, 90% or more of the iron ores and
additives are reduced and 30% or more of them are sintered, and they are charged into
the melter-gasifier.
A coal packed bed is formed in the melter-gasifier by supplying coals thereto.
Therefore, iron ores and additives are melted and slagged in the coal packed bed and
then are discharged as molten irons and slags. The oxygen supplied from a plurality
of tuyeres installed on the outer wall of the melter-gasifier burns a coal packed bed and
is converted to a hot reducing gas. Then, the hot reducing gas is supplied to the
fluidized-bed reactors in order to reduce iron ores and additives and is exhausted
outside.
However, since a high-speed gas flow is formed in the upper portion of the
melter-gasifier included in the above-mentioned apparatus for manufacturing molten
irons, there is a problem in that the fine reduced irons and sintered additives charged
into the melter-gasifier are elutriated and loosened. Furthermore, when fine reduced

irons and sintered additives are charged into the melter-gasifier, there is a problem in
that permeability of gas and liquid in the coal packed bed of the melter-gasifier cannot
be ensured.
For solving these problems, the method for briquetting fine reduced irons and
additives and charging them into the melter-gasifier has been developed. Relating to
the above development, US Patent No. 5,666,638 discloses a method for
manufacturing oval-shaped briquettes made of sponge irons and an apparatus using
the same. In addition, US Patent Nos. 4,093,455,4,076,520 and 4,033,559 disclose a
method for manufacturing plate-shaped or corrugation-shaped briquettes made of
sponge irons and an apparatus using the same. Here, fine reduced irons are hot
briquetted and then cooled, and thereby they are manufactured into briquettes made of
sponge Irons in order to suitably transport them a long distance.
According to the above general apparatus for manufacturing briquettes, cheek
plates are installed at both sides of the rolls in order to prevent the fine reduced irons
from elutriating outside during manufacturing the briquettes. Since the apparatus for
manufacturing briquettes is small-sized, using normal cheek plates can sufficiently
prevent fine reduced Irons from elutriating.
However, in the case of a large-sized apparatus for manufacturing briquettes,
even though it is equipped with cheek plates, there is a problem in that fine reduced
irons are elutriated outside as a large amount of reduced materials containing reduced
irons are charged into the rolls. Especially, since the hot reduced materials containing
reduced irons can be in the upper side of the rolls, when there is a large amount
charged into the rolls, the amount of the hot reduced materials containing reduced irons
that are stagnated in the upper side of the rolls is largely increased, and there is a
problem in that a large amount of fine reduced irons are elutriated outside through the
gap formed between the upper side of the apparatus for manufacturing briquettes and
the cheek plates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems,
and provides an apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons that is suitable for
manufacturing a large amount of compacted irons.

In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing
molten irons provided with the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons.
The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention includes a charging hopper into which reduced materials containing fine
reduced irons are charged; a couple of rolls separated from each other to form a gap
between the rolls; and a couple of cheek plates installed on the sides of the couple of
rolls. The charging hopper includes guide tubes extending downward. The couple of
rolls compact the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons discharged from the
charging hopper and manufacture compacted irons. The couple of cheek plates
prevent leakage of the reduced materials containing fine reduce irons charged into the
gap and are overlapped with the guide tubes in the axis direction of the rolls.
The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention may further include a feeding box for transferring the reduced materials
containing fine reduced irons to the couple of rolls.
It is preferable that grooves are formed on an upper portion of the cheek plates
and that the grooves closely adhere to the feeding box.
It is preferable that the cheek plates include a sealing member for sealing the
reduced materials containing fine reduced irons, and the sealing member is installed in
the grooves along the grooves.
A side of the sealing member may be attached to the grooves and the sealing
member is slanted relative to the grooves.
It is preferable that the slanted surface of the sealing member directs to the outer
side of the gap.
The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention may further include a feeding box for transferring the reduced materials
#
containing fine reduced irons to the couple of rolls and in this case, the sealing member
may support the feeding box.
The sealing member may be made of a heat-resistant steel plate.
The grooves may include a first groove formed along the arranging direction of
the couple of rolls and second grooves connected to both ends of the first groove. The
second grooves may be formed along the axis direction of the couple of rolls.
It is preferable that the lengths of the guide tubes become longer as the guide

tubes go away from the center of the gap.
An end portion and the area around the end portion of each guide tube,
corresponding to the longest length of the guide tube, may be overlapped with a surface
of the cheek plate.
It is preferable that a slanted concave portion is formed on a surface of the
cheek plate facing the couple of rolls and that the concave portion is overlapped with
the guide tube.
A stepped portion may be formed on the center of the concave portion of the
cheek plate along the arranging direction of the rolls.
The stepped portion is preferably formed on the guide tube.
The stepped portion of the cheek plate and the stepped portion of the guide tube
preferably face each other.
The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention may further include a supporter for supporting the cheek plate. The
supporter may be attached to the cheek plate at the opposite side of the gap so that the
cheek plate is located between the supporter and the gap. An internal space may be
formed on the surface of the supporter which is adjacent to the cheek plate.
The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention may further include a device for pressing the cheek plate to the gap. The
device for pressing the cheek plate may be bendable.
The device for pressing the cheek plate includes a bar, of which one end is
adjacent to the cheek plate, for pressing and supporting the cheek plate, and a concave
portion is formed at the other end; a tension spindle combined with the concave portion
of the bar, the outer surface of which has grooves shaped as a screw formed thereon; a
supporting member having an opening through which the bar penetrates; a block
having an opening through which the tension spindle is screwed and combined with the
opening; a spring inserted into the tension spindle; and a guiding member through
which the tension spindle penetrates. The guiding member may be combined with
both sides of the supporting member.
The device for pressing the cheek plate is preferably shaped as a bar.
It is preferable that at least three devices for pressing the cheek plate are
installed.

The device for pressing the cheek plate according to the present invention may
further include a frame installed in the outer side of the couple of rolls. The device for
pressing the cheek plate may penetrate into the frame and may support the cheek
plate.
The supporting member, the block, the spring, and the guiding member may be
combined with each other in order from the bar to the tension spindle.
It is preferable that both ends of the guiding member are bent toward the
pressing direction and mat the guiding member is combined with both sides of the
supporting member.
A stepping portion may be formed on the inner surfaces of both bent ends of the
guiding member in order for the block to be limited in movement
The center portion of the supporting member may be inserted between the bent
portions of the guiding member and may be combined with the guiding member with
pins.
The guiding member may be capable of being rotated at approximately 90
degrees using the pins as an axis.
It is preferable that the guiding member surrounds the block and the sides of the
spring.
The block is preferably shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped and.bom sides of
the block preferably face an inner surface of the guiding member.
The end portion of the supporting member may protrude toward both sides of the
supporting member and may be adjacent to the guiding member.
The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons according to the present invention
includes the above apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons; a breaker for
breaking compacted irons discharged from the apparatus for manufacturing compacted
irons; and a melter-gasifier into which the compacted irons, which are broken by the
breaker, are charged and are melted.
At least one of the coals selected from the group, of lumped coals and coal
briquettes may be supplied to the melter-gasifier.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRSWINGS
The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will

become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with
reference to the attached drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of the apparatus for manufacturing
compacted irons according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view along the line AA of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the cheek plates of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a schematic exploded view of the device for pressing a cheek plate
shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is an assembled view of the device for pressing a cheek plate shown in
Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a disassembling method of the device for pressing a
cheek plate shown in Fig. 4.
Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an apparatus for manufacturing molten
irons provided with the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the
first embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Now, exemplary embodiments of tine present invention will be described with
reference to the attached drawings in order for those skilled in the art to work out the
present invention. However, the present invention can be embodied in various
modifications and thus is not limited to the embodiments described below.
Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to
Figs. 1 to 8. The embodiments of the present invention are merely to illustrate the
present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.
Fig. 1 schematically shows an apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 100
including a charging hopper 10 and a couple of rolls 20. Gears are attached to the
ends of the rolls, and thereby the couple of rolls are interlocked and rotated together.
The structure of the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons shown in Fig. 1 is
merely to illustrate the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.
Therefore, the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons can be modified in other

forms.
The reduced materials containing fine reduced irons are charged into the
charging hopper 10 through the opening 16 located in the center thereof along the
direction indicated by the arrow A'. The reduced materials containing fine reduced
irons are manufactured from iron ores. The reduced materials containing fine reduced
irons further comprise sintered additives and are reduced while going through
multi-stage fluidized-bed reactors. The reduced materials containing fine reduced
irons manufactured by using other methods can be charged into the charging hopper 10.
Ventilation openings 14 are formed on the upper side of the charging hopper 10,
thereby eliminating gas produced from the hot reduced materials containing fine
reduced irons.
The charging hopper 10 includes guide tubes 70 extending downward. The
guide tubes 70 are inserted into the feeding box 30 located below and are combined
therewith. The feeding box 30 closely adheres to the cheek plates 80 (shown in Fig. 2)
which are overlapped with the guide tubes 70 along the axis direction of the rolls 20
(Y-axis direction).
Screw feeders 12 are installed in the charging hopper 10. The screw feeders
12 discharge the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons charged into the
charging hopper 10 to the gap between the couple of rolls 20. Here, the gap means a
space formed between the rolls along the longitudinal direction of the couple of rolls.
Screws 122 (shown in Fig. 2) installed at a lower end of the screw feeders 12 discharge
the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons collected in their lower portions due
to gravity downward by rotating by a motor (not shown). The motor is installed in the
upper end of the screw feeders 12. Scrapers 124 (shown in Fig. 2) installed on the
screw feeders 12 eliminate fine reduced irons adhered to the inner walls of the charging
hopper 10.
The couple of rolls 20 are located in the roll casing 24. The couple of rolls 20
are separated from each other and so form a gap therebetween. The couple of rolls
20 compress the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons discharged by the
screw feeders 12 and thereby manufacture compacted irons. The roll cover 26 is
attached on the external side of the roll 20.
Fig. 2 shows an internal section of the apparatus for manufacturing compacted

irons shown in Fig. 1. The enlarged circle of Fig. 2 shows a magnified cheek plate 80
supporting both sides of the couple of rolls 20.
The reduced materials containing fine reduced irons are charged into the feeding
box 30 by the screw feeders 12 through the guide tubes 70. The feeding box 30 is
installed below the charging hopper 10 and transfers the reduced materials containing
fine reduced irons to the couple of rolls 20. The feeding box 30 forms a lower space
bulged to the charging hopper 10. The feeding box 30 has such a structure to be
capable of ensuring a stagnated bed of a large amount of charged reduced materials
containing fine reduced irons. Therefore, it is possible to suitably supply the reduced
materials containing fine reduced irons to the center of the gap of the couple of rolls 20.
In addition, the lengths of the guide tubes 70 become longer as the guide tubes
70 go away from the center of the gap. Therefore, it is possible to effectively distribute
reduced materials containing fine reduced irons into the inner space of the feeding box
30, thereby smoothly manufacturing compacted irons in the center of the rolls. End
portions 701 and the area around the end portions 701 of the guide tubes 70
corresponding to the longest lengths of the guide tubes 70 are overlapped with surfaces
of the cheek plates 80. Therefore, the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons,
which are discharged from the guide tubes 70, are not elutriated outside and are
smoothly supplied to the gap formed between the rolls 20.
The cheek plates 80 are installed at both sides of the gap formed between the
rolls 20. The cheek plates 80 prevent the reduced materials containing fine reduce
irons entering the gap from leaking outside.
A large amount of the reduced materials containing fine reduced irons gets into
the lower side of the feeding box 30 and stagnates therein, and thereby there is much
possibility that the fine reduced irons are elutriated outside. In order to prevent the fine
reduced irons from being elutriated, a closely adhered portion formed between the
feeding box 30 and the cheek plates 80 should be suitably sealed. Therefore, grooves
82, which are closely adhered to the feeding box 30, are formed on an upper portion of
the couple of cheek plates 80, and thereby the feeding box 30 is supported by a sealing
member 84 in the grooves 82. By using this method, the fine reduced irons are
prevented from being elutriated outside. Since the sealing member 84 is slanted,
elutriated fine reduced irons are entrapped in the lower side of the sealing member 84

and are not elutriated outside. Therefore, the reduced materials containing fine
reduced irons, which enter the feeding box 30, are not elutriated, and so it is possible to
realize a stable manufacturing process.
As shown in the enlarged circle of Fig. 2, a stepped portion 703 is formed on
each guide tube 70. In addition, a stepped portion 861 is formed in the center of a
concave portion 86 of each cheek plate 80 along the arranging direction of the rolls 20.
Since the stepped portion 703 of the guide tube 70 and the stepped portion 861 of the
cheek plate 80 face each other, the fine reduced irons are prevented from elutriating
through the overlapped space formed between the guide tube 70 and the cheek plate
80. Namely, obstacles made of the stepped portions, which face each other, are
formed in the passageway formed between the guide tube 70 and the cheek plate 80,
and thereby the fine reduced irons are prevented from elutriating outside.
Meanwhile, the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons further includes a
supporter 88 for supporting the cheek plates 80. The supporter 88 is attached to the
cheek plates 80 at the opposite side of the gap, locating the cheek plate 80
therebetween. The supporter 88 supports the cheek plates 80. The upper portion of
the supporter 88 is protruded toward the upper portion of the feeding box 30. The
cheek plates 80 can be assembled through the upper opening of the feeding box 30.
An internal space 89 is formed in the surface of the supporter 88 which is adjacent to
the cheek plates 80. Therefore, the areas in which the supporter 88 is adjacent to the
cheek plates 80 is minimized, thereby keeping uniform heat distribution and preventing
staggering by heat transfer.
Fig. 3 shows an exploded state of the cheek plates shown in Fig. 2. The
enlarged circle of Fig. 3 shows the grooves 82 formed on the upper side of the cheek
plates 80 in detail.
Although not shown in Fig. 3, the couple of rolls are arranged in the X-axis
direction between the couple of cheek plates 80 located in Y-axis direction. The
supporter 88 installed outside of the cheek plates 80 presses the cheek plates 80 to the
rolls 20. An opening 87 is formed in the outer side of the supporter 88 in order to
assemble it with bolts. The opening 87 is manufactured as a long hole, thereby
absorbing the expansion and contraction amount of the cheek plates 80 when the
cheek plates 80 are thermally expanded.

The grooves 82 are formed on an upper portion of the cheek plates 80 and the
grooves closely adhere to the feeding box 30 (shown in Fig. 2). Sealing members 84
are attached along the grooves 82. The sealing members 84 can be attached by
welding and also by other methods.
As shown in the enlarged circle of Fig. 3, each of the grooves 82 includes a first
groove 822 and a couple of second grooves 824. The first groove 822 is formed along
the arranging direction of the couple of rolls (not shown). The second grooves 824 are
connected to both ends of the first groove 822 and are arranged along the axis direction
of the couple of rolls (not shown). Since the first groove 822 and the second grooves
824 are formed surrounding the rolls and the grooves 82 are closely adhered to the
feeding box 30, the fine reduced irons are essentially prevented from elutriating outside.
The slanted sealing members 84 are installed in the grooves 82 and sides 841
thereof are attached to the grooves 82. Attachment can be accomplished by using
welding and by other various methods. Especially, it is preferable that the slanted
surfaces of the sealing members 84 direct to the outer sides of the gap. Therefore, the
sealing members 84 support the feeding box 30 whilst closely adhering to the cheek
plates 80, and thereby guiding any fine reduced irons passed outside to the lower
portions of the slanted surfaces of the sealing members 84 and entrapping them therein.
By using this method, an amount of the fine reduced irons that are elutriated outside is
minimized.
Since the sealing members 84 are located in the closely adhering surface
between the cheek plates 80 and the feeding box 30 and prevent the fine reduced irons
from elutriating outside, they are disposed in a hot environment Therefore, the
sealing members 84 are preferably made of a heat-resistant steel plate in order to resist
the hot temperature. A stainless steel can be used as a heat-resistant steel plate.
For example, STS310S can be used.
A stepped portion 861 and a slanted concave portion 86 are formed on a
surface of each cheek plate 80 facing the couple of rolls along the arranging direction of
the rolls, and are overlapped with the guide tube 70 (shown in Fig. 2). Therefore, it is
possible to prevent the fine reduced irons charged from the guide tubes from elutriating,
thereby realizing a stable manufacturing process.
In the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons having such a structure, the

cheek plates minimize the amount of the fine reduced irons that is elutriated outside.
Therefore, it is possible that not only the cost for manufacturing reduced materials
containing fine reduced irons is prevented from being raised, but also that the
compacted irons are stably manufactured.
Fig. 4 shows an internal structure of an apparatus for manufacturing compacted
irons 150 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The structure
of the apparatus for manufacturing the compacted irons 150 according to the second
embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the apparatus for
manufacturing the compacted irons 100 according to the first embodiment of the
present invention, except for a device for pressing the cheek plates 90. Therefore, the
same reference numerals are used to refer to the same elements.
The device for pressing the cheek plates 90 presses the cheek plates 80 to the
gap, thereby more stably fixing the cheek plates 80. Therefore, it is possible to
effectively prevent the fine reduced irons from elutriating. Since the device for
pressing the cheek plates 90 is bendable, it is possible to disassemble and assemble it
whenever the cheek plates 80 are overhauled.
Since the device for pressing the cheek plate 90 is shaped as a bar, it is possible
to support a plurality of points of the cheek plates 80. At least three of the devices for
pressing the cheek plates 90 are installed in order to press the cheek plates 80.
Therefore, the fine reduce irons are prevented from elutriating outside. Especially,
since the cheek plates 80 are shaped almost as a triangle, it is preferable that three
devices for pressing the cheek plates 90 are installed in a triangle shape.
A frame 29 protects the elements included in the apparatus for manufacturing
the compacted irons 150 from outside. The device for pressing the cheek plates 90
penetrates the frame 29 and supports the cheek plates 80. Accordingly, even though
pressure acts on the cheek plates 80, it is possible to resist the pressure by the device
for pressing the cheek plates 90 supported by the frame 29.
The structure of the device for pressing the cheek plates according to the
embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the device for pressing the cheek plates 90
shown in Fig. 4. The structure of the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 shown in

Fig. 5 Is merely to illustrate the present invention and the present invention is not limited
thereto. Therefore, the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 can be modified in
other forms.
Each device for pressing the cheek plates 90 includes a bar 92, a supporting
member 94, a block 96, a spring 98, a guiding member 91, and a tension spindle 93.
The supporting member 94, the block 96, the spring 98, and the guiding member 91 are
combined with each other in order from the bar 92 to the tension spindle 93.
The bar 92 is shaped as a rod. The left end of the bar 92 (in Fig.5) is adjacent
to the cheek plate and puts a pressure on it A concave portion 921, which is
manufactured by using a drill, is formed on the right end of the bar 92. The tension
spindle 93 is inserted into the concave portion 921. A dividing pin (not shown) is
inserted into the opening 901 formed in the center of the bar 92. The dividing pin
prevents the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 from being separated when
disassembling the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 from the apparatus for
manufacturing compacted irons 150.
The bar 92 penetrates the opening formed in the supporting member 94. The
end portion 941 of the supporting member 94 protrudes outwards of both sides thereof,
and thereby the supporting member 94 is shaped as a T character. The supporting
member 94 is adjacent to the guiding member 91. In addition, an opening 943 is
formed in the center of the supporting member 94, and is assembled with the guiding
member 91 using pins 905. Furthermore, a couple of openings 945 are formed in tie
end portion 941 of the supporting member 94. The supporting member 94 is
assembled with the frame 29 (shown in Fig. 4) by using screws 903 through the
openings 945. Therefore, the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 can be stably
fixed.
The block 96 is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped. The tension spindle 93
is combined with the opening formed in the block 96 and moves forwards and
backwards by the elasticity of the spring 98 along the pressing direction.
The spring 98 is shaped as a plurality of overlapped dishes. The spring 98 is
inserted into the tension spindle 93 and is located between the block 96 and the guiding
member 91. The bar 92 is pressed against the cheek plate by moving the block 96 in
accordance with a pressing force.

Both ends of the guiding member 91, through which the tension spindie 93
penetrates, are bent toward a pressing direction (left direction in Fig. 5). Therefore,
the guiding member 91 is shaped as a character. The center portion of the
supporting member 94 is inserted between the bent portions of the guiding member 91
and is combined with the guiding member 91 with pins 905. A stepped portion 911 is
formed on the inner surface of both bent ends of the guiding member 91. The stepped
portions 911 are combined with the block 96 and limits the movement of the block 96.
The tension spindle 93 is shaped as a cylinder. The tension spindle 93 is
combined with the concave portion 921 of the bar 92 and then presses the bar 92. A
protruding portion 931 is formed on the front end of the tension spindle 93 and is
combined with the concave portion 921 of the bar 92, and thereby it is possible to
prevent the tension spindle 93 from being sunken. Since a bolt head portion 933
shaped as a hexagonal column is formed on the rear end of the tension spindle 93, the
tension spindle 93 can be smoothly rotated. In addition, grooves shaped as a screw
thread are formed on an outer surface of the tension spindle 93, and thereby the
tension spindle 93 can be combined with the opening of the block 96 by screwing.
Therefore, the tension spindle 93 can press the spring 98 by moving the block 96
forward and backward.
Fig. 6 shows the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 of Fig. 5 in which all the
elements are combined together.
As shown in Fig. 6, the bar 92, at one end of which the tension spindle 93 is
connected, is moved forward by rotating the bolt head portion 933 of the tension spindle
93. By using this method, the cheek plate 80, which is adjacent to the other end of the
bar 92, can be pressed. The cheek plate 80 is pushed by the inner pressure of the
apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 150, and then presses the device for
pressing the cheek plates 90. However, the pressure can be buffed since the block 96
and the spring 98 provided in the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 act as a
repulsive force.
The guiding member 91 surrounds the sides of the block 96 and the spring 98
while being combined with the bar 92. Therefore, the block 98 and the spring 98
located between the supporting member 94 and the guiding member 91 cannot become
separated. In addition, since the block 96, shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped,

faces the inner surface of the guiding member 91, the block 96 cannot be rotated.
Therefore, the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 can constantly maintain a
uniform pressing force acting on the cheek plates 80.
Especially, since the guiding member 91 is assembled with the supporting
member 94 using pins 905, it can be rotated at an approximate n'ght angle using the
pins 905 as an axis. Therefore, since the bar 92 can freely move forwards and
backwards, the device for pressing the cheek plates 90 can be separated from the
apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 150 during overhauling of the cheek
plates 80.
Fig. 5 shows a process for disassembling a device for pressing the cheek plates
90 which is combined in the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 150. As
shown in Fig. 5, by rotating the guiding member 91, the bar 92 can be disassembled
from the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 150 in the direction indicated by
an arrow.
First, the tension spindle 93 is rotated and then is separated from the bar 92.
Next, the guiding member 91 is rotated downward. Therefore, since the end portion of
the bar 92 protrudes outside, the bar 92 can be pulled out. By using this method, the
device for pressing the cheek plates 90 can be easily disassembled. Since the device
for pressing the cheek plates 90 can be easily removed when the cheek plates 80 are
overhauled, replacement and maintenance of the cheek plates 80 is simplified.
Fig. 7 shows an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 provided with an
apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 100 according to the first embodiment of
the present invention. Although the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200
provided with an apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 100 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention is shown in Fig. 8, this is merely to illustrate the
present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the
apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 can be provided with an apparatus for
manufacturing compacted irons 150 according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 shown in Fig. 7 includes the
apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons 100, a breaker 40, and a melter-gasifier
60. The breaker 40 crushes the compacted irons discharged from the apparatus for

manufacturing compacted irons 100. The compacted irons, which were crushed in the
breaker 40, are charged into the melter-gasifier 60 and are melted therein. Besides, a
storage bin 50 for temporarily storing the compacted irons that are crushed in the
breaker 40 can be also included. Since the structure of the breaker 40 and the
melter-gasifier 60 can be understood by those skilled in the art, a detailed explanation is
omitted.
At least one of the coals selected from the group of lumped coals and coal
briquettes are charged into the melter-gasifier 60. Generally, for example, the lumped
coals are coals having grain size of 8mm or more which are gathered from the
producing district. In addition, for example, the coal briquettes are coals which are
made by gathering coals having grain size of 8mm or less from the producing district,
pulverizing them, and molding them by a press.
The coal packed bed is formed in the melter-gasifier 60 by charging lumped
coals or coal briquettes therein. Oxygen is supplied to the melter-gasifier 60 and then
the compacted irons are melted. Molten Irons are discharged through a tap. Therefore,
it is possible to manufacture molten irons having good quality.
Since the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention includes cheek plates combined with guide tubes, elutriation of the fine
reduced irons can be effectively prevented.
Since concave portions formed on a surface of the cheek plates are slanted and
overlapped with the guide tubes, the guide tubes are conveniently assembled.
In addition, since a stepped portion is formed in the center of each concave
portion of each cheek plate along the arranging direction of the rolls, there is an
advantage that the concave portions are conveniently manufactured.
An internal space is formed in the supporter, thereby keeping thermal distribution
uniform and so the cheek plates are prevented from staggering due to thermal shock.
Since the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons according to the present
invention includes a device for pressing the cheek plates, the cheek plates are
effectively pressed.
Since the device for pressing the cheek plates is shaped as a bar, the pressing
position can be freely adjusted and a plurality of them can be used.
Since the device for pressing the cheek plates is supported while penetrating

through the frame, the cheek plates can be firmly supported.
Since the guiding member can be rotated at an approximate right angle, the
device for pressing the cheek plates can be easily disassembled.
The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons according to the present invention
includes the above-identified apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons, thereby
manufacturing molten irons having good quality.
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the sprit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) comprising:
a charging hopper (10) into which reduced materials comprising fine reduced irons
are charged, the charging hopper (10) comprising guide tubes (70) extending downward;
a couple of rolls (20) separated from each other to form a gap between the rolls, the
couple of rolls (20) compacting the reduced materials comprising fine reduced irons
discharged from the charging hopper (10) and manufacturing compacted irons; and
a couple of cheek plates (80) installed at the sides of the couple of rolls (20), the
couple of cheek plates (80) preventing leakage of the reduced materials comprising fine
reduced irons entering into the gap and being overlapped with the guide tubes (70) in the
axis direction of the rolls.
2. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) comprises a feeding box (30) for
transferring the reduced materials comprising fine reduced irons to the couple of the rolls
(20).
3. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein
grooves (82) are formed on an upper portion of the cheek plates (80) and the grooves (82)
closely adhere to the feeding box (30).
4. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the cheek plates (80) comprise sealing members (84) for sealing the reduced materials
comprising fine reduced irons, and the sealing members (84) are installed in the grooves
(82) along the grooves (82).
5. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein
sides of the sealing members (84) are attached to the grooves (861) and the sealing members
(84) are slanted relative to the grooves (861).

6. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the slanted surfaces of the sealing members (84) direct to the outer sides of the gap.
7. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) comprises a feeding box (30) for
transferring the reduced materials comprising fine reduced irons to the couple of the rolls
(20), and
wherein the sealing members (84) support the feeding box (30).
8. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein
the sealing members (84) are made of heat-resistant steel plates.
9. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the grooves (82) comprise a first groove (822) formed along the arranging direction of the
couple of rolls (20) and second grooves (824) connected to both ends of the first groove
(822) and formed along the axis direction of the couple of rolls (20).
10. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
me length of the guide tubes (70) becomes longer as the guide tubes (70) go away from the
center of the gap.
11. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 10,
wherein an end portion (701) and the area around the end portion (701) of the guide tubes
(70) corresponding to the longest length of the guide tubes (70) are overlapped with a
surface of the cheek plates (80).
12. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 10,
wherein slanted concave portions are formed on a surface of the cheek plates (80) facing the
couple of rolls (20) and the concave portions are overlapped with the guide tubes (70).

13. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 12,
wherein stepped portions (861) are formed in the center of the concave portions (86) of the
cheek plates (80) along the arranging direction of the rolls (20).
14. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 13,
wherein stepped portions (861) are formed on the guide tubes (70).
15. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 14,
wherein the stepped portions (861) of the cheek plates (80) and the stepped portions (703) of
the guide tubes (70) face each other.
16. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) comprises a supporter (88) for
supporting the cheek plates (80), the supporter (88) being attached to the cheek plates (80) at
the opposite side of the gap so that the cheek plates (80) located between the supporter (88)
and the gap, and
wherein internal spaces are formed on the surface of me supporters (88) which are adjacent
to the cheek plates (80).
17. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) further comprises a device for
pressing the cheek plates (90) to the gap, with the device for pressing the cheek plates (80)
being bendable.
18. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 17,
wherein the device for pressing the cheek plates (90) comprises:
a bar (92) of which one end is adjacent to the cheek plates (90) for pressing and
supporting the cheek plates (90), and a concave portion (921) is formed at the other end;
a tension spindle (93) combined with the concave portion (921) of the bar, the outer
surface of which has grooves shaped as a screw thread formed thereon;
a supporting member (94) having an opening through which the bar (92) penetrates;

a block (96) having an opening through which the tension spindle (93) is screwed
and combined with the opening;
a spring (98) inserted into the tension spindle (93); and
a guiding member (91) through which the tension spindle (93) penetrates, the guiding
member (91) combined with both sides of the supporting member (94).
19. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the device for pressing the cheek plates (90) is shaped as a bar.
20. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein at least three of the devices for pressing the cheek plates (90) are installed.
21. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the device for pressing the cheek plates (90) further comprises, a frame installed at
the outer side of the couple of rolls (20), and
wherein the device for pressing the cheek plates (90) penetrates into the frame and supports
the cheek plates (80).
22. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the supporting member (94), the block (96), the spring (98), and the guiding
member (91) are combined with each other in order from the bar (92) to the tension spindle
(93).
23. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein both ends of the guiding member (91) are bent toward the pressing direction and
the guiding member (91) is combined with both sides of the supporting member (94).
24. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein stepping portions (911) are formed on the inner surface of both bent ends of the
guiding member (91) in order for the block (96) to be limited in movement.

25. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the center portion of the guiding member (91) is inserted between the bent portions
of the guiding member (91) and is combined with the guiding member (91) with pins (905).
26. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 25,
wherein the guiding member (91) is capable of being rotated at approximately 90 degrees
using the pins (905) as an axis.
27. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the guiding member (91) surrounds me block (96) and the sides of the spring (98).
28. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 27,
wherein the block (96) is shaped as a rectangular parallelepiped and both sides of the block
(96) face an inner surface of the guiding member (91).
29. The apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 18,
wherein the end portion of the supporting member (94) protrudes outward of both sides of
the supporting member (94) and is adjacent to the guiding member (91).
30. The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons (200) comprising:
me apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) as claimed in claim 1;
a breaker (40) for breaking compacted irons discharged from the apparatus for
manufacturing compacted irons; and
a melter-gasifier (60) into which the compacted irons, which are broken by the
breaker, are charged and are melted.
31. The apparatus for manufacturing molten irons (200) as claimed in claim 30, wherein at
least one of the coals selected from the group of lumped coals and coal briquettes are
supplied to the melter-gasifier (60).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing compacted
irons (100) and an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons using the same. The
apparatus for manufacturing compacted irons (100) according to the present
invention includes a charging hopper (10) into which reduced materials containing
fine reduced irons are charged; a couple of rolls (20) separated from each other to
form a gap between the rolls (20); and a couple of cheek plates (80) installed on the
sides of the couple of rolls (20). The charging hopper (10) includes guide tubes (70)
extending downward. The couple of rolls (20) compact the reduced materials
containing fine reduced irons discharged from the charging hopper (10) and
manufacture compacted irons. The couple of cheek plates (80) prevent leakage of
the reduced materials containing fine reduce irons charged into the gap and are
overlapped with the guide tubes (70) in the axis direction of the rolls.