Process and device for charging into a smelting unit

1. A process for producing pig iron in a smelting unit, comprising:

producing a primary product by reducing oxidic iron carriers using a first reducing gas and compacting the reduced iron carriers;

transferring, without quenching, to a reservoir tank an amount of the primary product after compacting;

storing the amount of the primary product in the reservoir tank after the compacting; and

supplying the primary product, including the amount stored in the reservoir tank, to a storage device which is directly connected to the smelting unit; and

adding the primary product from the storage device or charging device into the smelting unit.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the oxidic iron carriers are particulate iron ore.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the oxidic iron carriers are lump ore or pellets.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the primary product is hot compacted iron (HCl).

5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the primary product is hot briquetted iron (HBI).

6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the primary product is partially reduced iron LRI.

7. The process of claim 1 , further comprising flushing a reoxidation protective gas which inhibits reoxidation of the primary product around the primary product stored in the hot state in the reservoir tank.

8. The process of claim 1 , wherein a second reducing gas flows through the storage device which is directly connected to the smelting unit.

9. The process as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the first reducing gas and the second reducing gas originate from the same source.

10. The process of claim 1 , wherein the addition from the storage device into the smelting unit takes place substantially according to the force of gravity.

11. A process for producing pig iron in a smelting unit from a primary product which has been obtained by reducing oxidic iron carriers using a first reducing gas, comprising:

storing an amount of the primary product in a reservoir tank; and

supplying the primary product, including the amount stored in the reservoir tank, to a storage device or charging device which is directly connected to the smelting unit; and

adding the primary product from the storage device or charging device into the smelting unit,

wherein a second reducing gas flows through the storage device or charging device which is directly connected to the smelting unit.

12. The process as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the first reducing gas and the second reducing gas originate from the same source.