Metals, nitrides, and carbides via solar carbothermal reduction of metal oxides

Jean P. Murray, Aldo Steinfeld and Edward A. Fletcher

Energy, 1995, vol. 20, issue 7, 695-704

Abstract: We have examined the thermodynamics of the carbothermic reduction of metal oxides in either nitrogen or argon atmospheres. The reaction, which is given generally by (where the M denotes metal) MxOy + C (+ N2;) → {Mx′Ny′, Mx″Cy″, M} + CO, is highly endothermic and proceeds at temperatures from 1300 to 2350 K for the systems considered. Exploratory experimental studies were conducted in a solar furnace using concentrated solar radiation. The nature of the solid-phase products was determined by X-ray powder diffraction. Nitrides (AlN, TiN, Si3N4, ZrN) were formed for systems run in N2; carbides (Al4C3, TiC, SiC, CaC2) were formed for runs in Ar; and metals (Mg, Zn) were obtained from their oxides in an Ar atmosphere. The use of solar energy as the source of high-temperature process heat offers the possibility of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants to the environment when it replaces the burning of a fuel for process heat. Furthermore, the availability of process heat at very high temperatures may make alternative processes economically feasible.

Date: 1995
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:20:y:1995:i:7:p:695-704

DOI: 10.1016/0360-5442(95)00032-C

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