Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
Direct reduction method and rotary hearth furnace
 Raw materials, including a metal oxide and a carbonaceous material, are supplied into a rotary hearth furnace. Then, the raw materials are heated and reduced by burners, which are arranged to cause a strong stirring action for an atmosphere around the raw materials, in an early reducing period that is defined as a period during which 70-80% of a total amount of a flammable gas generated from the raw materials is generated. In a latter period subsequent to the early reducing period, the raw materials are heated and reduced by burners arranged to cause a weak stirring action for an atmosphere around the raw materials, whereby a metal is manufactured. With the present invention, productivity can be improved and the fuel consumption per unit product can be reduced. 
Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)
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Hidetoshi Makoto
Tanaka Nishimura