BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention
[001] The present invention relates to a melter-gasifier uniformly distributing
charging materials and an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons provided with the same.
Description of Related Art
[002] Since a blast furnace process for manufacturing molten irons has a lot of
problems such as environmental pollution, a smelting reduction process has been developed and researched. In the smelting reduction process, molten irons are manufactured by using raw coals and iron ores. The raw coals are directly used as a fuel and a reduction agent, and the irons ores are directly used to produce molten irons.
[003] In the smelting reduction process, reduced irons and the raw coals are charged
into the melter-gasifier and then the reduced irons are melted therein, to thereby manufacture molten irons. The reduced irons are manufactured into compacted irons and the raw coals are molded into coal briquettes before they are charged into the melter-gasifier in order to ensure smooth gas flow in the melter-gasifier. Therefore, molten irons are manufactured in the melter-gasifier while a reducing gas flow is smoothly maintained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[004] The present invention provides a melter-gasifier uniformly distributing
charging materials in the melter-gasifier.
[005] In addition, the present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing
molten irons provided with the melter-gasifier.
[006] In an embodiment, charging materials are charged into a melter-gasifier
manufacturing molten irons. The melter-gasifier includes i) a charging passage that communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier and the charging materials being charged thereinto, ii) a guide chute that is installed in the charging passage and guides the charging materials into the melter-gasifier; and iii) a distribution plate that is installed in the charging passage and
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distributes the charging materials guided by the guide chute into the melter-gasifier.
[007] The guide chute may be installed on one side of the charging passage and the
distribution plate may be installed on another side of the charging passage opposing to the one side of the charging passage. The charging materials may slide on the one side of the charging passage and may be charged into the melter-gasifier. The charging materials may be charged into the melter-gasifier at an angle.
[008] The guide chute and the distribution plate may be sequentially installed along a
charging direction of the charging materials. The guide chute and the distribution plate may be fixed with a hinge in the charging passage and may operate such that the guide chute and the distribution plate change a charging direction of the charging materials.
[009] An operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 0 to 20 degrees.
The charging materials may be charged toward a center of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 0 to 5 degrees. The charging materials may be charged toward an area between a center and a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. The operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. The charging materials may be charged toward a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 20 to 30 degrees. The operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 5 to 10 degrees.
[0010] The guide chute and the distribution plate may be adapted to rotate and the
guide chute may rotate along a direction opposing a rotating direction of the distribution plate. The distribution plate is bigger than the guide chute.. The charging materials may be reduced irons.
[0011] In another embodiment, an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons including
i) a reduction reactor reducing iron ores and converting the iron ores into reduced irons; and ii) a melter-gasifier into which charging materials are charged and that manufactures molten irons is provided. The charging materials are charged into a melter-gasifier manufacturing molten irons. The melter-gasifier includes i) a charging passage that communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier and the charging materials being charged thereinto, ii) a guide chute that is installed in the charging passage and guides

the charging materials into the melter-gasifier; and iii) a distribution plate that is installed in the charging passage and distributes the charging materials guided by the guide chute into the melter-gasifier.
[0012]The guide chute may be installed on one side of the charging passage and the
distribution plate may be installed on another side of the charging passage opposing to the one side of the charging passage. The charging materials may slide on the one side of the charging passage and are charged into the melter-gasifier. The charging materials may be charged into the melter-gasifier at an angle.
[0013] The guide chute and the distribution plate may be sequentially installed along a
charging direction of the charging materials. The guide chute and the distribution plate may be fixed with a hinge in the charging passage and may operate such that the guide chute and the distribution plate change a charging direction of the charging materials.
[0014] An operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 0 to 20 degrees. The charging materials may be charged toward a center of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 0 to 5 degrees. The charging materials may be charged toward an area between a center and a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. The operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. The charging materials may be charged toward a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 20 to 30 degrees. The operating angle of the guide chute may be in a range from 5 to 10 degrees.
[0015] The guide chute and the distribution plate may be adapted to rotate and the
guide chute may rotate along a direction opposing a rotating direction of the distribution plate. The distribution plate may be bigger than the guide chute. The reduction reactor may be a packed-bed reactor or a fluidized-bed reactor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion III of FIGs. 1 and 2.
3

[0019] FIGs. 4 to 6 are schematic views illustrating various methods for controlling a
charging direction of reduced irons.
[0020] FIGs. 7 and 8 are graphs illustrating distributed locations of reduced irons
according to an exemplary example of the present invention and a comparative
example of the prior art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0021] With reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present
invention will be described in order for those skilled in the art to be able to implement it. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
[0022] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used
herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0023] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 100
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 100 includes
a packed-bed reactor 30 and a melter-gasifier 60. In addition, it can further include other devices as necessary. Iron ores are charged into the packed-bed reactor 30. The iron ores can be pre-dried before being charged into the packed-bed reactor 30 and can be compacted irons. The irons ores are converted into reduced irons in the packed-bed reactor 30. A reducing gas is supplied to the packed-bed reactor 30 from the melter-gasifier 60 through a reducing gas supply line 70. Therefore, a packed-bed is formed in the packed-bed reactor 30. The iron ores pass through the packed-bed thereby being converted into reduced irons.
[0025] Lumped carbonaceous materials are charged into the melter-gasifier 60 and then a
coal packed-bed is formed in the melter-gasifier 60. For example, lumped coals or coal briquettes can be used as the lumped carbonaceous materials. Coal briquettes are manufactured by molding fine ores. Cokes can be charged into the melter-
4

gasifier 60 if necessary. A tuyere 601 is installed in an outer wall of the melter-gasifier 60. Oxygen is injected into the melter-gasifier 60 through the tuyere 601 and the reduced irons, which were charged into the melter-gasifier 60, are melted by a combustion heat, and thereby molten irons are manufactured. A tap (not shown) is installed in a lower portion of the melter-gasifier 60 and then the molten irons and slags are discharged to the outside.
[0026] The reduced irons and lumped carbonaceous materials as charging materials are
separately charged into the melter-gasifier 60. The reduced irons and lumped carbonaceous materials can be charged into the melter-gasifier 60 together if necessary. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the reduced irons and the lumped carbonaceous materials are transferred by a transferring screw and are charged into the melter-gasifier 60, respectively.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the reduced irons are charged into the melter-gasifier 60 at an angle and the lumped carbonaceous materials are vertically charged into the melter-gasifier 60. Since the reduced irons and the lumped carbonaceous materials are charged into the melter-gasifier 60 from directions that are different from each other, the reduced irons and the lumped carbonaceous materials can be uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier 60. Therefore, the process for manufacturing molten irons can be stably operated by promoting heat exchange between the reduced irons and the lumped carbonaceous materials.
[0028] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200
according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Since the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 of FIG. 1 is similar to the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 100 of FIG. 1, like elements are referred to with like reference numerals and a detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 includes a plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20, a melter-gasifier 60, a reducing gas supply line 70, and a device for manufacturing compacted irons 40. In addition, the apparatus for manufacturing molten irons 200 can further include a pressure equalizing device 50 for transferring reduced irons manufactured in the device for manufacturing compacted irons 40 to the melter-gasifier 60 and a reduced irons storage bin 52. The device for manufacturing compacted irons 40 and the pressure equalizing device 50 can be omitted.
[0030] A fluidized-bed is formed in the plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20 by the reducing gas that is supplied through the reducing gas supply line 70 and then
5

reduces iron ores. The plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20 include a first fluidized-bed reactor 201, a second fluidized-bed reactor 203, a third fluidized-bed reactor 205, and a fourth fluidized-bed reactor 207.
[0031] The first fluidized-bed reactor 201 preheats iron ores by using a reducing gas discharged from the second fluidized-bed reactor 203. The second and third fluidized-bed reactors 203 and 205 pre-reduce the preheated iron ores. In addition, the fourth fluidized-bed reactor 207 finally reduces the pre-reduced iron ores and converts them into reduced irons.
[0032] The iron ores are heated and reduced while passing through the plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20. For this, the reducing gas generated in the melter-gasifier 60 is supplied to the plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20 through the reducing gas supply line 70. The reduced irons are compacted and briquetted by the device for manufacturing compacted irons 40.
[0033] The device for manufacturing compacted irons 40 includes a charging hopper 401, a pair of rolls 403, a breaking mill 405, and a storage bin 407. In addition, the device for manufacturing compacted irons 40 may further include other devices as necessary. The charging hopper 401 stores the reduced irons that passed through the plurality of fluidized-bed reactors 20. The reduced irons are charged into the pair of rolls 403 from the charging hopper 401 and then are molded and compacted. The molded and compacted reduced irons are crushed by the breaking mill 405 and are stored in the storage bin 407.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates a magnified cross-sectional structure of a portion 111 of FIGs. 1and 2. Although reduced irons I are illustrated to be charged into the melter-gasifier 60 through the charging passage 603, lumped carbonaceous materials can also be charged into the melter-gasifier 60 using the same method.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the melter-gasifier 60 includes the charging passage 603. The charging passage 603 communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier 60, and the reduced irons I are charged into the melter-gasifier 60 through the charging passage 603 along a direction indicated by an arrow. A guide chute 6031 guides the reduced irons I and changes a path thereof while a distribution plate 6033 directly collides with the reduced irons I and controls a charging direction of the reduced irons I. Therefore, if the guide chute 603] and the distribution plate 6033 are sequentially installed in the charging passage 603 along a charging direction of the reduced irons I, the charging of the reduced irons I can be controlled and then the reduced irons 1 can be uniformly distributed in the melter-
6

gasifier 60. In addition, the distribution plate 6033, which is different from the guide chute 6031 that only guides the reduced irons I, directly collides with the reduced irons I and changes a path of the charging location of the reduced irons 1. Therefore, since the distribution plate 6033 should have sufficient strength against the collision with the reduced irons, the distribution plate 6033 is manufactured to be bigger than the guide chute 6031.
[0036] When the reduced irons are charged into the melter-gasifier through the charging
passage, the reduced irons do not use only one path but use a plurality of paths and then fall. The distribution plate is installed in the melter-gasifier to distribute the fallen reduced irons in the melter-gasifier. For example, the distribution plate can be installed on an upper portion of the charging passage.
[0037| When the distribution plate starts to operate, the reduced irons that fall through an
upper portion of the charging passage collide with the distribution plate and fall toward a sidewall of the melter-gasifier. On the contrary, reduced irons that fall through a lower portion of the charging passage are far from the distribution plate, and therefore, these reduced irons do not contact with the distribution plate and fall toward a center of the melter-gasifier.
[0038] In addition, if an operating angle of the distribution plate is too small, the reduced irons directly fall and are only charged into a center of the melter-gasifier. On the contrary, if the operating angle of the distribution plate is too large, the reduced irons collide with the distribution plate and rebound therefrom, to thereby be charged to the sidewall of the melter-gasifier. Therefore, the reduced irons are only stacked in the center or at the sidewall of the melter-gasifier and the reduced irons are not charged into an area between the center and the sidewall thereof.
[0039] In this case, since the reduced irons are not uniformly distributed in the melter-
gasifier, heat exchange between the coals and the reduced irons is not sufficient, and so the process for manufacturing molten irons becomes unstable. Therefore, if only the distribution plate is used, distribution of the reduced irons cannot be controlled well.
[0040] On the contrary, in an embodiment of the present invention, since the guide chute 6031 and the distribution plate 6033 are used together, reduced irons I can be uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier 60. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the charging passage 603 includes one side 6035 and another side 6037. The one side 6035 and the other side 6037 oppose each other. The guide chute 6031 is installed on one side 6035 of the charging passage 603 and the
7

distribution plate 6033 is installed on the other side 6037 of the charging passage 603. Therefore, since the guide chute 6031 and the distribution plate 6033 are installed on both sides of the charging passage 603, paths of the reduced irons I, which fall through a plurality of paths in the charging passage 603, can be easily changed. As a result, reduced irons I can be uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier 60. Especially, since the reduced irons I slide on one side 6035 of the charging passage 603 by gravity and are charged into the melter-gasifier, a falling path of the reduced irons I can be changed by firstly using the guide chute 6031.
[0041] The guide chute 6031 is fixed by a hinge 6031a and rotates along a direction
indicated by an arrow (clockwise direction). The distribution plate 6033 is also fixed by a hinge 6033a and rotates along a direction indicated by an arrow (counter-clockwise direction). Therefore, the guide chute 6031 and the distribution plate 6033 can change charging directions of the falling reduced irons I. Various methods for controlling the charging directions of the reduced irons 1 will be explained with reference to FIGs. 4 to 6 below.
[0042] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a method for charging reduced irons I into a
center of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, reduced irons I can be charged toward a center of the
melter-gasifier 60 by controlling an operating angle ? 1 of the guide chute 6031 and an operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033. As indicated by an arrow in FIG. 4, after the reduced irons I are guided by the guide chute 6031, they are collided with the distribution plate 6033 a little and then charged toward the center of the melter-gasifier 60. Reduced irons using other paths, which are not guided by the guide chute 6031, directly collide with the distribution plate 6033 and then are charged toward the center of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0044] The operating angle ? 1 of the guide chute 6031 can be variously controlled. Since
the guide chute 6031 is installed in the charging passage 603, the falling path of the reduced irons I can be largely changed depending on the operating angle ? 1 . The operating angle ? 1 can be in a range from 0 to 20 degrees. If the operating angle ? 1 is too large, the reduced irons I can directly collide with the guide chute 6031 and then block the charging passage 603.
|0045] In this case, the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033 can be in a range
from 0 to 5 degrees. If the operating angle ? 2 is too large, the reduced irons I are
8

not charged toward the center of the melter-gasifier 60 but are charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60 since the reduced irons I collide with the distribution plate 6033.
[0046] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a method for charging reduced irons I into an
area between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0047]As illustrated in FIG. 5, reduced irons I can be charged toward an area between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60 by controlling the operating angle ? 1 of the guide chute 6031 and the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033. As indicated by an arrow in FIG. 5, after the reduced irons 1 are guided by the guide chute 6031, they are collided with the distribution plate 6033 and then charged toward the location between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60. Reduced irons using other paths, which are not guided by the guide chute 603 1, directly collide with the distribution plate 6033 and then are charged toward the location between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0048] The operating angle 8i of the guide chute 6031 can be can be in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. If the operating angle ? 1 is too small, the reduced irons 1 slide on the one side 6035 of the charging passage 603 and then are charged into a center of the melter-gasifier 60. On the contrary, if the operating angle 8i is too great, the reduced irons I can directly collide with the guide chute 6031 and then block the charging passage 603.
[004] Meanwhile, the operating angle ? 2of the distribution plate 6033 can be in a range from 10 to 15 degrees. If the operating angle ? 2 is too small, the reduced irons 1 are charged toward the center of the melter-gasifier 60. On the contrary, if the operating angle 92 is too large, the reduced irons I can be charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60. Therefore, the operating angle ? 1 of the guide chute 6031 and the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033 are controlled in the above-described ranges, the reduced irons I can be effectively charged toward an area between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0050] FIG- 6 schematically illustrates a method for charging reduced irons I toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
|0051] As illustrated in FIG. 6, reduced irons I can be charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60 by controlling the operating angle ? 1 of the guide chute 6031 and the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033. As indicated by
9

an arrow in FIG. 6, after the reduced irons I are guided by the guide chute 6031, they are collided with the distribution plate 6033 and then charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60. Reduced irons using other paths, which are not guided by the guide chute 6031, directly collide with the distribution plate 6033 and then are charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0052] The operating angle ? 1 , of the guide chute 6031 can be in a range from 5 to 10 degrees. If the operating angle ? 1 is too small, the reduced irons 1 slide on the one side 6035 of the charging passage 603 and then are charged into a center of the melter-gasifier 60. On the contrary, if the operating angle ? 1 is too large, the reduced irons I can directly collide with the guide chute 6031 and then block the charging passage 603.
[0053] Meanwhile, the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033 can be in a range
from 20 to 30 degrees. If the operating angle ? 2 is too small, the reduced irons I can directly collide with the distribution plate 6033 and then block the charging passage 603. Therefore, the operating angle 61 of the guide chute 6031 and the operating angle ? 2 of the distribution plate 6033 are controlled in the above-described ranges, and so the reduced irons I can be effectively charged toward the sidewall of the melter-gasifier 60.
[0054] The present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the exemplary examples below. The exemplary examples are merely to illustrate the present invention and the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0055] Exemplary Examples
[0056] Reduced irons were charged into a charging passage of a melter-gasifier shaped as
that illustrated in FIG. 3. The reduced irons were distributed in the melter-gasifier while operating angles of the guide chute and the distribution plate were variously controlled. Then, distributed locations of the reduced irons according to the operating angles of the guide chute and the distribution plate were measured based on the center of the melter-gasifier.
[0057] Exemplary Example 1
[0058] The operating angle of the guide chute was 10 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 0 degrees.
[0059] Exemplary Example 2
[0060] The operating angle of the guide chute was 0 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 0 degrees.
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[0061] Exemplary Example 3
[0062] The operating angle of the guide chute was 20 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 2 degrees.
[0063] Exemplary Example 4
[0064] The operating angle of the guide chute was 15 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 5 degrees.
[0065] Exemplary Example 5
[0066] The operating angle of the guide chute was 10 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 10 degrees.
[0067] Exemplary Example 6
[0068] The operating angle of the guide chute was 10 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 15 degrees.
[0069] Exemplary Example 7
[0070] The operating angle of the guide chute was 15 degrees, while the operating
angle of the distribution plate was 15 degrees.
[0071] Exemplary Example 8
[0072] The operating angle of the guide chute was 10 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 20 degrees.
[0073] Exemplary Example 9
[0074] The operating angle of the guide chute was 0 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 25 degrees.
[0075] Exemplary Example 10
|0076] The operating angle of the guide chute was 5 degrees, while the operating angle of the distribution plate was 30 degrees.
|0077] Comparative Examples
[0078] Reduced irons were charged into a melter-gasifier without the guide chute, that is to say, the melter-gasifier was only provided with a distribution plate. The reduced irons were distributed in the melter-gasifier while the operating angle of the distribution plate was variously controlled. Then, distributed locations of the reduced irons according to the operating angle of the distribution plate were measured based on the center of the melter-gasifier.
[0079] Comparative Example 1
]0080] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 0 degrees.
[0081] Comparative Example 2
[0082] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 5 degrees.
[0083] Comparative Example 3
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[0084] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 10 degrees.
[0085] Comparative Example 4
[0086] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 15 degrees.
[0087] Comparative Example 5
[0088] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 20 degrees.
[0089] Comparative Example 6
[0090| The operating angle of the distribution plate was 25 degrees.
[0091] Comparative Example 7
[0092] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 30 degrees.
[0093] Comparative Example 8
[0094] The operating angle of the distribution plate was 35 degrees.
[0095] Experimental Results
[0096] Table 1 shows experimental results according to Exemplary Examples 1 to 10.
[0097] Table 1

Exemplary Example
Operating angle of the guide chute
Operating angle of the distribution plate
Distance
ratio
Exemplary Example 1
10 degrees
0 degrees
0
Exemplary Example 2
0 degrees
0 degrees
0.12
Exemplary Example 3
20 degrees
2 degrees
0.21
Exemplary Example 4
15 degrees
5 degrees
0.32
Exemplary Example 5
10 degrees
10 degrees
0.47
Exemplary Example 6
10 degrees
15 degrees
0.53
Exemplary Example 7
15 degrees
15 degrees
0.61
Exemplary Example 8
10 degrees
20 degrees
0.69
Exemplary Example 9
0 degrees
25 degrees
0.82
Exemplary Example 10
5 degrees
30 degrees
0.92
[0098] The distance ratio shown in Table 1 means a ratio of a distance between the
distributed location of the reduced irons and the center of the melter-gasifier to a radius of the melter-gasifier. As shown by Table 1, if the guide chute and the distribution plate are used together, it can be seen that the reduced irons are uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier.
[0099] FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating distributed locations of the reduced irons
according to the Exemplary Examples 1 to 10.
[00100] An inner portion of the melter-gasifier can be divided into an area adjacent to a center of the melter-gasifier, an area between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier, and an area adjacent to the sidewall of the melter-gasifier. The above-described distance ratio is less than 0.33 in the area adjacent to a center of the melter-gasifier, is in a range from 0.33 to 0.66 in the area between the
12

center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier, and is more than 0.66 in the area adjacent to the sidewall of the melter-gasifier.
[00101] In this case, since the distance ratios in the Exemplary Examples 1 to 4 were not greater than 0.32, the reduced irons were distributed in the area adjacent to the center of the melter-gasifier. The operating angles of the guide chute were in a range from 0 to 20 degrees and the operating angles of the distribution plate were in a range from 0 to 5 degrees in the Exemplary Examples 1 to 4.
[102] In addition, since the distance ratios in the Exemplary Examples 5 to 7 were
not less than 0.47 and not greater than 0.61, the reduced irons were distributed
in the area between the center and the sidewall of the melter-gasifier. The
operating angles of the guide chute were in a range from 10 to 15 degrees and
the operating angles of the distribution plate were in a range from 10 to 15
degrees in the Exemplary Examples 5 to 7.
[103] In addition, since the distance ratios in the Exemplary Examples 8 to 10 were
not less than 0.69 and not greater than 0.92, the reduced irons were distributed
in the area adjacent to the sidewall of the melter-gasifier. The operating angles
of the guide chute were in a range from 0 to 5 degrees and the operating angles
of the distribution plate were in a range from 20 to 30 degrees in the
Exemplary Examples 8 to 10.
[00104] As described above, the reduced irons were uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier in the Exemplary Examples 1 to 10. Since the reduced irons are uniformly distributed, it is possible to flexibly cope with variations of reduction ratio and grain size distribution of the reduced irons, and hot strength and grain size distribution of the coal briquettes. As a result, a process for manufacturing molten irons is stabilized and efficiency of the melter-gasifier is increased, and thereby fuel ratio is reduced.
[00105] Meanwhile, Table 2 below shows the experimental results according to the Comparative Examples 1 to 8.
[00106] Table 2

Comparative Example
Operating angle of the distribution plate
Distance ratio
Comparative Example I
0 degrees
0.10
Comparative Example 2
5 degrees
0.12
Comparative Example 3
10 degrees
0.13
Comparative Example 4
15 degrees
0.56
Comparative Example 5
20 degrees
0.63
Comparative Example 6
25 degrees
0.82
13

Comparative Example 7
30 degrees
0.85
Comparative Example 8
35 degrees
0.88
[00107] As shown in Table 2, the distance ratio between the Comparative Examples 3 and 4 were greatly different from each other. Therefore, reduced irons were not charged in an area in which the distance ratio is in a range from 0.13 to 0.56.
[00108] FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating distributed locations of the reduced irons according to the operating angle of the distribution plate.
[00109] As illustrated in FIG. 8, an impossible charging area exists between Comparative Examples 3 and 4. Accordingly, since it is impossible to charge the reduced irons into that area, the reduced irons were not uniformly distributed in the melter-gasifier.
[00110] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be clearly understood that many variations and/or modifications of the basic inventive concept taught herein still fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A melter-gasifier into which charging materials are charged and that manufactures molten irons, the melter-gasifier comprising:
a charging passage that communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier and the charging materials being charged thereinto;
a guide chute that is installed in the charging passage and guides the charging materials into the melter-gasifier; and
a distribution plate that is installed in the charging passage and distributes the charging materials guided by the guide chute into the melter-gasifier.
2. The melter-gasifier of Claim 1, wherein the guide chute is installed on one
side of the charging passage and the distribution plate is installed on another side of the
charging passage opposing to the one side of the charging passage.
3. The melter-gasifier of Claim 2, wherein the charging materials slide on
the one side of the charging passage and are charged into the melter-gasifier.
4. The melter-gasifier of Claim 3, wherein the charging materials are
charged into the melter-gasifier at an angle.
5. The melter-gasifier of Claim 1, wherein the guide chute and the
distribution plate are sequentially installed along a charging direction of the charging
materials.
6. The melter-gasifier of Claim 1, wherein the guide chute and the
distribution plate are fixed with a hinge in the charging passage and operate such that the
guide chute and the distribution plate change a charging direction of the charging
materials.
7. The melter-gasifier of Claim 6, wherein an operating angle of the guide
chute is in a range from 0 to 20 degrees.
8. The melter-gasifier of Claim 6, wherein the charging materials are
charged toward a center of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution
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plate is in a range from 0 to 5 degrees.
9. The melter-gasifier of Claim 7, wherein the charging materials are
charged toward an area between a center and a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the
operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees.
10. The melter-gasifier of Claim 9, wherein the operating angle of the guide
chute is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees.
11. The melter-gasifier of Claim 7, wherein the charging materials are
charged toward a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution
plate is in a range from 20 to 30 degrees.
12. The melter-gasifier of Claim 11, wherein the operating angle of the
guide chute is in a range from 5 to 10 degrees.
13. The melter-gasifier of Claim 6, wherein the guide chute and the
distribution plate are adapted to rotate and the guide chute rotates along a direction
opposing a rotating direction of the distribution plate.
14. The melter-gasifier of Claim 1, wherein the distribution plate is bigger
than the guide chute.
15. The melter-gasifier of Claim 1, wherein the charging materials are
reduced irons.
16. An apparatus for manufacturing molten irons, the apparatus comprising:
a reduction reactor reducing iron ores and converting the iron ores into reduced
irons; and
a melter-gasifier into which charging materials are charged and that manufactures molten irons,
wherein the melter-gasifier comprises:
a charging passage that communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier and the charging materials being charged thereinto;
a guide chute that is installed in the charging passage and guides the
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charging materials into the melter-gasifier; and
a distribution plate that is installed in the charging passage and distributes the charging materials guided by the guide chute into the melter-gasifier.
17. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the guide chute is installed on one
side of the charging passage and the distribution plate is installed on another side of the
charging passage opposing to the one side of the charging passage.
18. The apparatus of Claim 17, wherein the charging materials slide on the
one side of the charging passage and are charged into the melter-gasifier.
19. The apparatus of Claim 18, wherein the charging materials are charged
into the melter-gasifier at an angle.
20. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the guide chute and the distribution
plate are sequentially installed along a charging direction of the charging materials.
21. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the guide chute and the distribution
plate are fixed with a hinge in the charging passage and operate such that the guide chute
and the distribution plate change a charging direction of the charging materials.
22. The apparatus of Claim 21, wherein an operating angle of the guide
chute is in a range from 0 to 20 degrees.
23. The apparatus of Claim 22, wherein the charging materials are charged
toward a center of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a
range from 0 to 5 degrees.
24. The apparatus of Claim 22, wherein the charging materials are charged
toward an area between a center and a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle
of the distribution plate is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees.
25. The apparatus of Claim 24, wherein the operating angle of the guide
chute is in a range from 10 to 15 degrees.
26. The apparatus of Claim 22, wherein the charging materials are charged
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toward a sidewall of the melter-gasifier if the operating angle of the distribution plate is in a range from 20 to 30 degrees.
27. The apparatus of Claim 26, wherein the operating angle of the guide
chute is in a range from 5 to 10 degrees.
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28. The apparatus of Claim 21, wherein the guide chute and the distribution
plate are adapted to rotate and the guide chute rotates along a direction opposing a rotating
direction of the distribution plate.
29. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the distribution plate is bigger than
the guide chute.
30. The apparatus of Claim 16, wherein the reduction reactor is a packed-
bed reactor or a fluidized-bed reactor.

The present invention relates to a melter-gasifier uniformly distributing charging materials and an apparatus for manufacturing molten irons provided with the same. In an embodiment, charging materials are charged into a melter-gasifier manufacturing molten irons. The melter-gasifier includes i) a charging passage that communicates with an outside of the melter-gasifier and the charging materials being charged thereinto, ii) a guide chute that is installed in the charging passage and guides the charging materials into the melter-gasifier; and iii) a distribution plate that is installed in the charging passage and distributes the charging materials guided by the guide chute into the melter-gasifier.