Method for curing self-reducing agglomerates

The present invention refers to a method and an equipment for curing and drying self-reducing agglomerates containing cement as a binder in the presence of saturated vapor at a temperature from about 70 to about 110° C. and under atmospheric pressure. The treatment is performed in one single equipment. The self-reducing agglomerates are comprised of mixtures of fines of iron ore and/or industrial residue containing iron oxides and/or metallic iron, fines of carbonaceous materials such as mineral coal, charcoal, green petroleum coke and similar fines, fluxing material such as steel plant slag and blast furnace slag, limestone, lime and similar materials, cement as a binder and fluxing agent, and humidity between 7 and 12%, produced in pellet-making units and/or briquette-making units and thereafter treated using one single piece of equipment, involving the steps of predrying with heated gasses ( 2 ), curing with saturated vapor ( 3 ) and drying with heated gasses ( 4 ) performed continuously and sequentially, controlling the discharge velocity ( 5 ) in order to allow the time of permanence of the agglomerate within the equipment to be from about 4 to about 12 hours. The cured and dried agglomerate may be processed in an adequate reducing/melting equipment to provide metals and metallic alloys.