PROCESS OF DESULPHURIZING PIG IRON IN THE REDUCTION OF ORE IN A ROTARY FURNACE

Iron ore low in phosphorus together with slag former and coke is charged to a furnace rotating about an axis which is horizontal or inclined at not more than 45 DEG thereto, oxygen-rich gas being introduced to the furnace to burn the carbon monoxide evolved. The conditions are such that due to the presence of a thick layer of coke the iron oxide content of the slag corresponds to not more than 3% of iron, while the temperature of the slag layer is above 1400 DEG C., whereby a low-sulphur iron is produced. This process may be preceded by a similar process in the same furnace using a high-phosphorus ore, the conditions being such that the slag has an iron oxide content corresponding to at least 3% of iron and a temperature not greater than 1450 DEG C. to produce a bath of metal low in phosphorus. The slag produced in this step is removed prior to commencement of the desulphurizing step.