Pre-Processing Materials Using Encapsulation Technologies

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting a metallurgical process. In one form, iron oxides in the form of mill scale is placed in a container and subjected to heat thereby largely reducing the mill scale and largely converting it to metallic iron that can then be used in steel making processes, such as electric arc furnaces and the like. In one form, the container prevents volatile gases (such as gases given off when oily mill scale is heated) for a sufficient time so that the volatile gases heated to a high enough temperature to maximize pyrolysis and decomposition. In one form, vents are provided in the containers that are aligned with collection vents in the heating furnace so that any volatile gases may be easily removed without loss of large quantities of heat.

1 . A process for reducing mill scale, the process comprising:
 providing an ingredient enclosure that contains mill scale and a reducing agent;   applying heat to the container until at least 50% of the mill scale is reduced to metallic iron.   
     
     
         2 . A metallurgical process comprising:
 providing an ingredient enclosure having a plurality of vents;   placing mill scale in the ingredient enclosure, wherein the mill scale contains a ingredients that when heated gives off volatile gases;   placing a reducing agent in the enclosure;   heating the enclosure;   opening the enclosure vents by the application of heat after a period of time sufficient so that the heat has pyrolysis and decomposition of the volatile gases and at least some portion of the mill scale is reduced to metallic iron.   
     
     
         3 . A raw material ingredient used in a metallurgical process for making steel; the raw material ingredient comprising an enclosure and mill scale and a reducing agent in the enclosure, wherein the enclosure includes a vent, the vent opening after a period of time of exposure to sufficient heat so that pyrolysis and decomposition of volatile gases occurs. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2  further comprising providing a furnace to heat the enclosure and providing furnace vents that are cooperative with the enclosure vents for the venting of any volatile gases from the enclosure.