Claims
- 1. A process for melting metal for producing steel comprising:
combining a quantity comprising metal containing steel and at least about 0.25 percent by weight of shredded/chopped scrap rubber; inserting said quantity into an electric arc furnace; and applying energy to said quantity in said furnace to start the combustion of said shredded/chopped scrap rubber to add additional heat for melting said metal containing steel.
- 2. The process of claim 1 further comprising using oxygen/natural gas burners to supply a portion of said energy.
- 3. The process of claim 2 further comprising turning off said natural gas but continuing the supply of oxygen once said scrap rubber tires have been ignited.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said shredded/chopped scrap rubber includes an amount of steel belted rubber tire sections and pieces that is greater than an amount of non-steel belted rubber tire sections and pieces.
- 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said addition of said shredded scrap tires to said furnace catalyzes carbon monoxide conversion to carbon dioxide to substantially reduce carbon monoxide emissions and thereby substantially reduce pollution levels emitted from the furnace.
- 6. A process for melting metal for producing steel in a furnace comprising:
providing a scrap tire ignition container positioned adjacent the furnace and in heat and material transfer connection therewith, said scrap tire container including a quantity of scrap rubber therein; igniting said scrap rubber in said scrap tire container such that heat is produced; and utilizing and transferring heat generated by said ignited scrap rubber in said scrap tire container to said metal in a furnace to heat said metal in said furnace to reduce the amount of external energy required to be applied to said furnace for melting of said metal whereby the efficiency of said furnace is increased.
- 7. The process of claim 6 wherein said scrap rubber comprises at least some metal-belted tires each of which includes an amount of metal, said scrap rubber being ignited under controlled oxygen levels to enable decomposition of at least most of said scrap rubber into combustible liquids and gases, said combustible liquids and gasses being transferable to locations for further burning with said amount of metal separating from said combustible liquids and gasses for disposal thereof.
- 8. A process for melting metal for producing steel in a metal feed furnace which includes a feed device for transferring metal from a deposit location to the furnace, said process comprising:
depositing a quantity of metal containing steel on the feed device; adding at least about 0.25 percent by weight of shredded/chopped scrap rubber to said quantity of metal on the feed device immediately prior to insertion of said shredded/chopped scrap rubber and said quantity of metal into the furnace thereby preventing premature ignition of said shredded/chopped scrap rubber; and applying energy to said quantity in said furnace to start the combustion of said shredded/chopped scrap rubber to add additional heat for melting said metal.
- 9. A process for melting metal for producing steel comprising:
combining a quantity comprising metal containing steel and at least about 0.25 percent by weight of shredded/chopped scrap rubber in at least one bundle; placing said at least one bundle in an electric arc furnace; and applying energy to said at least one bundle in said furnace to start the combustion of said shredded/chopped scrap rubber to add additional heat for melting said metal.
- 10. The process of claim 9 wherein said bundle comprises a conglomeration of metal containing steel and shredded/chopped scrap rubber mixed together prior to insertion into an electric arc furnace.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to the filing date of related patent application Ser. No. 09/311,401 filed May 13, 1999.