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Abstract

A process and apparatus for producing ferrochromium having a carbon content ranging from about 0.02 to about 10 weight percent includes providing a mixture comprised of iron-containing chromium ore, coal, and at least one slag former selected from each of a slag former of group (a) and a slag former of group (b), wherein the slag former of group (a) is selected from the group consisting of CaO and MgO, wherein the slag former of group (b) is selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and SiO.sub.2, and wherein the mixture has an ore or coal ratio ranging from 1:0.4 to 1:2. The mixture is heated in a rotary furnace for a period ranging from 20 to 240 minutes in a CO-containing atmosphere and at a temperature ranging from 1480.degree. to 1580.degree. C. to provide a reaction product. The reaction product is discharged from the rotary furnace in a doughy state and is cooled, either during or after discharging the reaction product from the rotary furnace, by mixing the reaction product with at least one additive effective for heating and decarbonation for a subsequent melting step, which at least one additive is at ambient temperature prior to being admixed, so that the mixture has a reduced temperature and is in a solid state as it is conveyed to a melting furnace. Finally, the mixture is melted in the melting furnace as a temperature ranging from 1600.degree. to 1700.degree. C. to obtain ferrochromium.

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First Claim