US 11,965,221 B2
Method and system for heating direct reduced iron (DRI) between a DRI source and processing equipment for the DRI
Todd Michael Astoria, Harrisburg, NC (US); and James Lloyd Lewis, Jr., Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to Midrex Technologies, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Midrex Technologies, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Mar. 23, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/209,561.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/993,836, filed on Mar. 24, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0301360 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. C21B 13/02 (2006.01); C21B 13/00 (2006.01); F27B 1/21 (2006.01); F27D 5/00 (2006.01); F27D 11/06 (2006.01); F27D 99/00 (2010.01)
CPC C21B 13/026 (2013.01) [C21B 13/0086 (2013.01); F27B 1/21 (2013.01); F27D 5/0062 (2013.01); F27D 11/06 (2013.01); F27D 99/0006 (2013.01); F27D 2099/0015 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of heating direct reduced iron between a direct reduced iron source and processing equipment for the direct reduced iron, comprising:
providing a conduit heater assembly between the direct reduced iron source and the processing equipment, wherein the conduit heater assembly receives a flow of the direct reduced iron from the direct reduced iron source and heats the direct reduced iron as the direct reduced iron flows through the conduit heater assembly and to the processing equipment
wherein the conduit heater assembly comprises:
a conduit configured to receive a flow of direct reduced iron, and
a heating element comprising induction heating coils, disposed adjacent to the conduit, wherein the heating element is configured to transfer energy from a power supply in the form of heat to the conduit and heat the flow of direct reduced iron through the conduit;
wherein the conduit comprises an insulated outer pipe, and an inner pipe forming an inner conduit and located inside the insulated outer pipe and configured to receive the flow of direct reduced iron, and the heating element is disposed concentrically around an outer surface of the inner conduit and within the insulated outer pipe; and
the conduit heater assembly forms an elongated feed leg through which the direct reduced iron is heated and flows directly into the processing equipment which is one of a melter, a briquetting machine, and a hot compaction equipment to compact to a higher density.