PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LIQUID PIG IRON OR LIQUID INTERMEDIATE PRODUCTS OF LIQUID STEEL AND SPONGY METAL

The invention relates to a process for the production of liquid pig iron (16) and spongy metal from materials made from iron ore (4), or another metal ore. During said process the materials used are directly reduced in at least a first reduction zone (2) to form spongy iron, the spongy iron is melted in a meltdown-gasification zone (15), with supply carbon carriers (10) and oxygencontaining gas, and a reduction gas containing CO and H2 is produced and conveyed into the first reduction zone (2) where it is reacted and removed as top gas. After washing, said top gas undergoes CO2 elimination, and optionally heating, is conveyed as an at least extensively CO2-free reduction gas to at least one other reduction zone (27) for direct reduction of metal ore, in particular of iron ore (26), and after reaction with the iron ore (26) is removed as export gas and cleaned in a scrubber. To use the minimum amount of energy when utilising the sludge in the scrubbers, the water is removed from the sludge which occurs when the top gas from the first reduction zone (2) is washed, and said sludge is poured into the meltdown gasifier (15). In contrast, the water is removed from sludge which occurs when the export gas of the other reduction zone (27) is washed, and said sludge is fed into the first direct reduction zone (2).