Direct reduction apparatus and process

1. Apparatus for reducing a metalliferous material in a fluidized bed which comprises a vessel for containing the fluidized bed, a means for supplying the metalliferous material, a solid carbonaceous material, an oxygen-containing gas, and a fluidizing gas into the vessel for forming the fluidized bed in the vessel, wherein the oxygen-containing gas supply means comprises at least one oxygen-containing gas injection lance having a lance tip with an outlet that is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas downward into the vessel at up to 40 degrees to the vertical, wherein the oxygen-containing gas injection lance comprises a central pipe for the oxygen-containing gas and a passageway located outwardly of the central pipe for injecting shrouding gas.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance tip is positioned for injecting the oxygen-containing gas downward into the vessel at up to 15 degrees to the vertical.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance tip is directed downwardly.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas injection lance is water-cooled.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein at least the lance tip comprises an outer water-cooled jacket.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the passageway for injecting the shrouding gas is an annulus in transverse section.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the annulus in transverse section is located between the central pipe and an outer water-cooled jacket.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein a lower end of the central pipe is recessed relative to a lower end of the outer water-cooled jacket.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the central pipe has a chamfer extending from an internal surface to an outer surface of the pipe.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance is positioned so that the lance tip is in a central region of the vessel away from a side wall of the vessel.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance extends downwardly through a top wall of the vessel.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the lance extends vertically downwardly through the top wall of the vessel.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance extends through the side wall of the vessel and then downwardly.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance extends horizontally through the side wall of the vessel and then downwardly.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the carbonaceous material supply means comprises a solids delivery device for supplying carbonaceous material to a location below the lance tip.

16. Apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the solids delivery device comprises a solids injection lance or screw feed extending into the vessel at a location below the lance tip.

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the carbonaceous material supply means and the metalliferous material supply means comprise a solids delivery device for supplying carbonaceous material and metalliferous material to a location below the lance tip.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the solids delivery device comprises a solids injection lance or screw feed extending into the vessel at a location below the lance tip.

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the passageway located outwardly of the central pipe is an annular passageway surrounding the central pipe and surrounded by an outer jacket, and the central pipe is connected to a source of oxygen-containing gas, the annular passageway is connected to a source of shrouding gas, and the outer jacket is connected to a source of cooling water.

20. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the passageway for injecting shrouding gas is located between the central pipe and an outer water-cooled jacket, and a lower end of the central pipe is recessed relative to a lower end of the outer water-cooled jacket.

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lance extends substantially horizontally through a side wall of the vessel and the lance tip extends substantially vertically downward at a location spaced from the side wall of the vessel.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the oxygen-containing gas supply means comprises a source of oxygen-containing gas connected to the central pipe of the injection lance and the apparatus further comprises a source of shrouding gas connected to said passageway.

23. Apparatus according to claim 22 , wherein the source of oxygen-containing gas comprises a source of oxygen and the source of shrouding gas comprises a source of a gas that comprises nitrogen or steam.