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US20100218644A1 - Method of Producing Metals and Alloys by Carbothermal Reduction of Metal Oxides - Google Patents

Method of Producing Metals and Alloys by Carbothermal Reduction of Metal Oxides Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100218644A1
US20100218644A1 US12/665,796 US66579608A US2010218644A1 US 20100218644 A1 US20100218644 A1 US 20100218644A1 US 66579608 A US66579608 A US 66579608A US 2010218644 A1 US2010218644 A1 US 2010218644A1
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Prior art keywords
agglomerate
metal
apparent density
agglomerates
channel
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US12/665,796
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English (en)
Inventor
Victor Black
Gary Burns
Robert Herbert
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Dow Silicones Corp
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Dow Corning Corp
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Priority to US12/665,796 priority Critical patent/US20100218644A1/en
Assigned to DOW CORNING CORPORATION reassignment DOW CORNING CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: YILMAZ, SEFA, BURNS, GARY, BLACK, VICTOR, HERBERT, ROBERT
Publication of US20100218644A1 publication Critical patent/US20100218644A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B5/00—General methods of reducing to metals
    • C22B5/02—Dry methods smelting of sulfides or formation of mattes
    • C22B5/10—Dry methods smelting of sulfides or formation of mattes by solid carbonaceous reducing agents
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
    • C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
    • C01B33/00—Silicon; Compounds thereof
    • C01B33/02—Silicon
    • C01B33/021—Preparation
    • C01B33/023—Preparation by reduction of silica or free silica-containing material
    • C01B33/025—Preparation by reduction of silica or free silica-containing material with carbon or a solid carbonaceous material, i.e. carbo-thermal process
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
    • C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
    • C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
    • C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
    • C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
    • C22B1/242—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders
    • C22B1/244—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders organic
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
    • C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
    • C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
    • C22B1/242—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders
    • C22B1/244—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders organic
    • C22B1/245—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders organic with carbonaceous material for the production of coked agglomerates
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B23/00—Obtaining nickel or cobalt
    • C22B23/02—Obtaining nickel or cobalt by dry processes
    • C22B23/021—Obtaining nickel or cobalt by dry processes by reduction in solid state, e.g. by segregation processes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
    • C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
    • C22B61/00—Obtaining metals not elsewhere provided for in this subclass

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of producing metals and alloys by carbothermal reduction of metal oxides and more particularly to a method comprising heating raw materials comprising at least one metal oxide, and agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder to effect reduction of the metal oxide to the metal, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.
  • metals and alloys such as silicon, ferrosilicon, aluminum, iron, steel, and tungsten are widely produced by reduction of the corresponding metal oxides with a carbonaceous reducing agent in an electric arc furnace.
  • the carbonaceous reducing agent is typically introduced into the furnace in the form of agglomerates, such as pellets, lumps, or briquettes.
  • agglomerates having low apparent density and low bulk density are highly desired for optimal operation of the furnace and control of the process.
  • the advantages of using agglomerates having low apparent and bulk densities typically include relatively high yield, high metal production rate, and low energy consumption.
  • agglomerates should have sufficient strength to withstand conventional handling operations and the harsh environment of a metallurgical furnace, without being crushed.
  • the present invention is directed to a method of producing a metal, the method comprising heating raw materials comprising at least one metal oxide, and agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder to effect reduction of the metal oxide to the metal, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.
  • the process of the instant invention employs agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel.
  • the agglomerates have low apparent density and low bulk density.
  • the channels increase the porosity of the furnace charge, thus increasing the circulation of the reacting gases and facilitating the removal of CO gas.
  • the process exhibits relatively high yield, high metal production rate, and low energy consumption.
  • the process can be carried out using conventional equipment and techniques. Still further, the method is scaleable to a high throughput manufacturing process.
  • the method of the present invention can be used to produce various metals and alloys from the corresponding metal oxides.
  • the method can be used to produce metallurgical grade and solar grade silicon from silicon dioxide.
  • metals and alloys produced according to the present method have widespread utility in chemical, electrical, and mechanical products and processes.
  • FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an agglomerate according to the present method.
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of an agglomerate according to the present method.
  • FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of an agglomerate according to the present method.
  • FIGS. 4A and 4B are photographs showing perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a honeycomb briquette prepared as described in the Examples Section, below.
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a multi-hole die used to prepare the honeycomb briquettes in the Examples below.
  • the term “metal” refers to a single metal or a mixture comprising two or more different metals, i.e., an alloy. Moreover, the term “metal” includes semi-metals (metalloids) such as silicon and boron.
  • the term “median particle size,” also known as the “mass median diameter,” is defined as the particle diameter at which fifty percent by mass of the particles have a larger diameter and fifty percent of the particles by mass have a smaller diameter. Graphically, the median particle size corresponds to the diameter at which the cumulative arithmetic curve (plot of percentage by weight versus particle diameter) intersects the 50% line.
  • a method of producing a metal according to the present invention comprises heating raw materials comprising at least one metal oxide, and agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder to effect reduction of the metal oxide to the metal, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.
  • the metal oxide can be any metal oxide capable of undergoing carbothermal reduction to produce the corresponding metal.
  • the metal oxide may be an isolated (i.e., substantially pure) compound or a metal oxide-containing ore.
  • the metal oxide can have a variety of physical forms including, but not limited to, lumps, granules, flakes, powder, sand, and gravel.
  • the metal oxide when compounded with a binder, may have the form of agglomerates, such as briquettes and pellets.
  • metal oxides include, but are not limited to, compounds such as silicon dioxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, chromium oxide, boric oxide, tungsten oxide, magnesium oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, calcium oxide, lead oxide, calcium phosphate, manganese dioxide, beryllium oxide, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and vanadium oxide; and ores containing any of the aforementioned metal oxides.
  • compounds such as silicon dioxide, iron oxide, aluminum oxide, molybdenum oxide, chromium oxide, boric oxide, tungsten oxide, magnesium oxide, cobalt oxide, nickel oxide, copper oxide, calcium oxide, lead oxide, calcium phosphate, manganese dioxide, beryllium oxide, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, and vanadium oxide; and ores containing any of the aforementioned metal oxides.
  • the metal oxide is silica (i.e., silicon dioxide).
  • silica include, but are not limited to, crystalline silica such as quartz; and noncrystalline (amorphous) silica such as fused quartz, fumed silica, silica gel, and precipitated silica.
  • the metal oxide can be a single metal oxide or a mixture comprising two or more metal oxides of different metals or the same metal in different oxidation states.
  • Methods of preparing metal oxides are well known in the art; many metal oxides, including metal oxide-containing ores, are commercially available.
  • the agglomerates comprise a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.
  • molded open channel refers to a macroscopic cavity present in the agglomerate by design, where the cavity is continuous with the external surface of the agglomerate.
  • the channel may be open at one end (dead-end channels) or open at two ends (through channels).
  • the channel may have any regular or irregular geometric shape, including cylindrical, slit-shaped, and conical.
  • the width of the channel is typically at least 1 mm, alternatively at least 3 mm, where the width is defined as the minimum distance between two opposite walls of the channel.
  • the width of a cylindrical channel is the diameter of the cylinder
  • the width of a slit-shaped channel is the width of the slit.
  • the width of the channel is typically from 1 to 50 mm, alternatively from 1 to 30 mm, alternatively from 2 to 20 mm.
  • the length of a channel is typically at least 2 times the width of the channel.
  • the number, width, and depth of the channels are such that the agglomerate has an apparent density not greater than 99%, alternatively not greater than 80%, alternatively not greater than 75%, of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel(s).
  • the agglomerate typically has an apparent density of from 10 to 99%, alternatively from 40 to 90%, alternatively from 60 to 80%, of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel(s).
  • the “apparent density” of an agglomerate is defined as the ratio of the mass of the agglomerate to the total volume of the agglomerate, where the total volume of the agglomerate is the sum of the volumes of the solid material, pore(s), and molded open channel(s).
  • solid material refers to an agglomerated mixture comprising carbonaceous reducing agent, a cured binder and, optionally, other ingredients, described below.
  • the term “pore” refers to any void present in the agglomerate not by design, where the void may or may not be continuous with the external surface of the agglomerate. Also, pores typically have a width not greater than 1 ⁇ m, where the width is defined as the minimum distance between two opposite walls of the pore.
  • the apparent density of an agglomerate can be calculated by measuring the mass and total volume of the agglomerate. Mass of an agglomerate can be determined using a balance. Total volume of an agglomerate having a simple three-dimensional shape (e.g., spherical and cylindrical) can be calculated from the external dimensions of the agglomerate. Total volume of an agglomerate having a complex shape can be determined by measuring the volume of mercury displaced by an identical agglomerate, except without the channel(s). In the later case, the identical agglomerate without the channel(s) is submerged in mercury at room temperature ( ⁇ 23 ⁇ 2° C.).
  • the change in volume of the mercury is equal to the total volume of the corresponding agglomerate having at least one molded open channel.
  • the identical agglomerate without the channel(s) has the same external shape and solid composition as the corresponding agglomerate with the channel(s).
  • the agglomerate without the channel(s) can be prepared using the same materials and methods as used for the corresponding agglomerate with the channel(s), described below, except the mixture of carbonaceous reducing agent, curable binder, and any optional ingredients, are compressed to form an agglomerate having the same external shape, but without the channel(s).
  • the agglomerates have sufficient strength to withstand handling operations and the harsh environment of a metallurgical furnace, without being crushed.
  • the agglomerates typically have a compression strength of from 5 to 150 lbf, alternatively from 5 to 70 lbf, alternatively from 10 to 40 lbf.
  • the agglomerates can have a variety of shapes and sizes, depending on the method used to produce them, described below.
  • the agglomerates can be briquettes or pellets.
  • the agglomerates can have a variety of regular or irregular three-dimensional external shapes including, but not limited to, cylindrical, cuboidal, cubical, conical, octahedral, spherical, hemispherical, and pyramidal.
  • the agglomerates have parallel channels open at both ends arranged in a honeycomb pattern.
  • the agglomerates can be identical or a mixture comprising two or more agglomerates that differ in at least one of the following properties: apparent density, shape, number of channels, dimensions of channels, mass, concentration of carbonaceous reducing agent and/or cured binder, and composition of carbonaceous reducing agent and/or cured binder.
  • the carbonaceous reducing agent can be any solid particulate containing primarily elemental carbon effective in the carbothermal reduction of metal oxides or ores to the corresponding metals and alloys.
  • the carbonaceous reducing agent typically has a median particle size of from 0.01 to 3000 ⁇ m, alternatively from 0.1 to 1000 ⁇ m, alternatively from 10 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • carbonaceous reducing agents include, but are not limited to, carbon black, activated carbon, coal, coke, and charcoal.
  • the carbonaceous reducing agent can be a single reducing agent or a mixture comprising two or more different agents, each as described above.
  • the concentration of the carbonaceous reducing agent in each agglomerate is typically from 60 to 98 parts by weight, alternatively from 70 to 90 parts by weight, alternatively from 75 to 85 parts by weight, wherein the total amount of the carbonaceous reducing agent and the cured binder is 100 parts by weight.
  • the cured binder can be any cured solid binder that provides the agglomerates sufficient compression strength to withstand handling operations and the harsh environment of a metallurgical furnace, without being crushed.
  • the term “cured binder” refers to a cross-linked binder having a continuous three-dimensional network structure throughout the agglomerate.
  • the cured binder is typically a thermoset polymer, a cross-linked thermoplastic polymer, or a cross-linked product of thermally polymerizable monomers.
  • cured binders include, but are not limited to, cured silicone resins, cured polybutadienes, cured polyesters, cured products of carbohydrates and dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides, cured epoxy resins, cured polyvinyl alcohols, cured amino resins, cured polyurethanes, cured polyimides, cured phenolic resins, cured cyanate ester resins, cured furan resins, cured bismaleimide resins, and cured acrylic resins.
  • the cured binder is a cured product of sucrose (sugar) and adipic acid.
  • the cured binder can be a single cured binder or a mixture comprising two or more different cured binders, each as described above.
  • the concentration of the cured binder is typically from 2 to 40 parts by weight, alternatively from 10 to 30 parts by weight, alternatively from 15 to 25 parts by weight, wherein the total amount of the carbonaceous reducing agent and the cured binder is 100 parts by weight.
  • the agglomerates can further comprise at least one additional ingredient, provided the ingredient does not inhibit reduction of the metal oxide to the corresponding metal, as described below.
  • additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, fibers such as polyethylene fibers and paper fibers; and metal oxides.
  • the agglomerates can comprise at least a portion (i.e., part or all) of the metal oxide, described above, in the raw materials.
  • the metal oxide typically has the form of particles having a median particle size of from 0.01 to 3000 alternatively from 0.1 to 1000 ⁇ m, alternatively from 10 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • An agglomerate according to the present invention can be prepared by (i) forming a mixture comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a curable binder into a green agglomerate having at least one molded open channel; and (ii) curing the curable binder of the green agglomerate to produce an agglomerate having an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel.
  • step (i) of the method of preparing an agglomerate a mixture comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a curable binder is formed into a green agglomerate having at least one molded open channel.
  • the carbonaceous reducing agent is as described and exemplified above for the agglomerate of the present invention.
  • concentration of the carbonaceous reducing agent in the mixture is typically from 60 to 98 parts by weight, alternatively from 70 to 90 parts by weight, alternatively from 75 to 85 parts by weight, wherein the total amount of the carbonaceous reducing agent and the curable binder is 100 parts by weight.
  • the curable binder can be any binder that can be cured (i.e., cross-linked) upon application of heat.
  • the curable binder is typically a thermosetting polymer, a mixture of a thermoplastic polymer and a cross-linking agent, or a mixture of thermally polymerizable monomers.
  • the curable binder When the curable binder is a solid at ambient temperature and pressure, the curable binder typically has the form of particles having a median particle size of from 0.01 to 3000 ⁇ m, alternatively from 0.1 to 1000 ⁇ m, alternatively from 10 to 500 ⁇ m.
  • curable binders include, but are not limited to, curable silicone resins, polybutadienes, unsaturated polyesters, mixtures of carbohydrates and dicarboxylic acids or anhydrides, epoxy resins, amino resins, polyurethanes, polyimides, phenolic resins, cyanate ester resins, furan resins, bismaleimide resins, and acrylic resins.
  • the curable binder is a mixture of sucrose and adipic acid.
  • the mole ratio of adipic acid to sucrose is typically from 0.2 to 1.2, alternatively from 0.4 to 1.0, alternatively from 0.5 to 0.7.
  • the curable binder can be a single curable binder or a mixture comprising two or more different curable binders, each as described above. Moreover, methods of preparing curable binders are well known in the art; many curable binder compositions are commercially available.
  • the concentration of the curable binder in the mixture is typically from 2 to 40 parts by weight, alternatively from 10 to 30 parts by weight, alternatively from 15 to 25 parts by weight, wherein the total amount of the carbonaceous reducing agent and the curable binder is 100 parts by weight.
  • the mixture comprising the carbonaceous reducing agent and curable binder can further comprise additional ingredients, provided the ingredient does not prevent the mixture from forming a green agglomerate having at least one molded open channel, inhibit cure of the binder, or inhibit reduction of the metal oxide to the corresponding metal in the process of the present invention.
  • additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, fibers such as polyethylene fibers and paper fibers; metal oxides; and solvents.
  • the mixture can further comprise at least a portion (i.e., part or all) of the metal oxide, described above, in the raw materials.
  • the mixture can further comprise at least one solvent.
  • the solvent may be used to aid dispersal of the ingredients (i.e., carbonaceous reducing agent, curable binder, etc.) in the mixture, adjust the consistency of the mixture prior to forming the green agglomerate, or improve cohesion of the ingredients in the green agglomerate formed from the mixture.
  • the solvent can be any nonpolar or polar (protic, aprotic, or dipolar aprotic) solvent that does not react with the carbonaceous reducing agent, curable binder, or other ingredients in the mixture in step (i) or step (ii) of the method of preparing the agglomerate.
  • the solvent typically has a normal boiling point below the cure temperature of the curable binder.
  • the solvent may be miscible or immiscible with the curable binder.
  • the solvent may form a suspension or an emulsion with the curable binder.
  • solvents include, but are not limited to, saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as n-pentane, hexane, n-heptane, isooctane and dodecane; cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons such as cyclopentane and cyclohexane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene and mesitylene; cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dioxane; ketones such as methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK); halogenated alkanes such as trichloroethane; halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as bromobenzene and chlorobenzene; alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, 2-butanol, 2-methyl-1-butanol, 1,1-dimethyl-1-ethanol, pentan
  • the concentration of the solvent is typically from 0 to 70% (w/w), alternatively from 20 to 60% (w/w), alternatively from 40 to 50% (w/w), based on the total weight of the mixture.
  • the mixture can be prepared by combining the carbonaceous reducing agent, curable binder, and any optional ingredients, in any order and thoroughly mixing the ingredients. Mixing can be accomplished using techniques known in the art such as milling, blending, and stirring, either in a batch or continuous process. Mixing is typically continued until the ingredients are uniformly distributed throughout the mixture.
  • the mixture can also be prepared by combining the ingredients in a screw feeder, which provides the advantage of precompacting and deaerating the incoming materials.
  • a screw feeder can also crush infeed particles to achieve a more favorable size consistency for extrusion or molding. In some cases, heat generated by the screw feeding process may be beneficial, for example, by softening the binder prior to agglomeration.
  • a twin screw extruder can be used to sequentially mix the ingredients and extrude the mixture into a green agglomerate of desired shape.
  • the mixture can be formed into a green agglomerate having at least one molded open channel using conventional methods, such as compression molding, injection molding, and extrusion.
  • green agglomerate refers to an agglomerate comprising a curable, but uncured, binder.
  • the mixture can be formed into a green agglomerate of a desired shape by extruding the mixture through a die containing apertures corresponding to molded open channels in the resulting green agglomerate.
  • the curable binder of the green agglomerate is cured.
  • the curable binder can be cured by heating the green agglomerate at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the binder.
  • the green agglomerate is typically heated at a temperature below the decomposition temperatures of both the curable binder and the cured binder produced there from.
  • the cure conditions for a particular curable binder are known in the art.
  • the green agglomerate can be heated in air or an inert atmosphere (e.g., nitrogen or argon), depending on the stability of the curable binder in air.
  • the green agglomerate can be heated in a conventional oven, conveyor oven, or furnace.
  • the green agglomerate can also be heated in a furnace with a metal oxide in the carbothermal reduction process of the present invention to effect cure of the curable binder prior to production of the metal.
  • the method of preparing the agglomerate can further comprise, before curing the binder of the green agglomerate, heating the green agglomerate at a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially remove solvent and/or partially cure the curable resin.
  • the resulting green agglomerate remains flexible, but has the advantages of being less tacky and more durable than the green agglomerate before heat treatment.
  • the ratio of the number of moles of total carbon to the number of moles of the metal oxide in the raw materials is typically a stoichiometric amount, plus or minus 20%, based on the balanced chemical equation for the carbothermal reduction of the particular metal oxide.
  • “moles of total carbon” refers to the sum of the number of moles of carbon from the carbonaceous reducing agent, binder, and any optional carbon-containing ingredients, e.g., wood chips, in the raw materials.
  • the mole ratio of the total carbon to silicon dioxide used in the carbothermal reduction of silicon dioxide is typically 2 ⁇ 0.4, based on the following chemical equation: SiO 2 +2C ⁇ Si+2CO.
  • the raw materials may comprise at least one additional ingredient, provided the ingredient does not inhibit reduction of the metal oxide to the corresponding metal, as described below.
  • additional ingredients include, but are not limited to, wood chips and limestone.
  • the raw materials can be heated in any furnace commonly used in smelting operations, particularly the carbothermal reduction of metal oxides or ores containing metal oxides.
  • Suitable furnaces are typically equipped with a tap for recovering the metal in a molten state at regular intervals during the process.
  • furnaces include, but are not limited to, blast furnaces; and electric arc furnaces such as plasma-arc furnaces, DC-arc furnaces, submerged-arc furnaces, and arc-resistance furnaces.
  • Furnace designs suitable for the carbothermal production of various metals from their corresponding oxides are well known in the art.
  • submerged-arc furnaces are typically used for the production of silicon and ferrosilicon.
  • the raw materials are heated at a sufficient temperature and for a sufficient time to effect reduction of the metal oxide to the metal.
  • the temperature and time of heating will depend on the particular metal oxide, the furnace design, and quantities of raw materials. Although certain metal oxides can be reduced at temperatures lower than the temperature required to melt the metal, typically the raw materials are heated at temperatures high enough to melt the resulting metal, so the metal can be promptly removed from the furnace. Conditions for carrying out the carbothermal reduction of particular metal oxides are known in the art.
  • the method of the present invention can further comprise recovering the metal from the furnace.
  • the metal can be recovered from the furnace by tapping the molten metal at regular intervals during the production cycle.
  • the method can further comprise refining (i.e., purifying) the metal product.
  • refining metals are well known in the art, and are exemplified by physical methods such as liquation, zone melting, distillation, degassing, vacuum melting, and filtration; and chemical methods such as oxidation, deoxidation, precipitation of intermetallic compounds, and electro slag refining.
  • metals produced by the present method include, but are not limited to, silicon, iron, aluminum, molybdenum, chromium, boron, tungsten, magnesium, cobalt, nickel, copper, calcium, lead, phosphorus, manganese, beryllium, zirconium, tin, zinc, titanium, and vanadium.
  • alloys include, but are not limited to, nonferrous alloys such as copper-beryllium alloys, nickel-beryllium alloys, aluminum-beryllium alloys; and ferroalloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromolybdenum, ferromanganese, ferrochromium, ferrophosphorus, ferrotitanium, ferroboron, ferrotungsten, and ferrovanadium.
  • nonferrous alloys such as copper-beryllium alloys, nickel-beryllium alloys, aluminum-beryllium alloys
  • ferroalloys such as ferrosilicon, ferromolybdenum, ferromanganese, ferrochromium, ferrophosphorus, ferrotitanium, ferroboron, ferrotungsten, and ferrovanadium.
  • the process of the instant invention employs agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a binder, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel.
  • the agglomerates have low apparent density and low bulk density.
  • the channels increase the porosity of the furnace charge, thus increasing the circulation of the reacting gases and facilitating the removal of CO gas.
  • the process exhibits relatively high yield, high metal production rate, and low energy consumption.
  • the agglomerates have sufficient strength to withstand handling operations and the harsh environment of a metallurgical furnace, without being crushed.
  • the process can be carried out using conventional equipment and techniques. Still further, the method is scaleable to a high throughput manufacturing process.
  • the method of the present invention can be used to produce various metals and alloys from the corresponding metal oxides.
  • the method can be used to produce metallurgical grade and solar grade silicon from silicon dioxide.
  • metals and alloys produced according to the present method have widespread utility in chemical, electrical, and mechanical products and processes.
  • Yield Si (%) actual yield of Si (kg)/theoretical yield Si (kg) ⁇ 100.
  • the theoretical yield of silicon was calculated from the total weight of silicon dioxide in the raw materials using the following chemical equation: SiO 2 +2C ⁇ Si+2CO.
  • Wood Chips Douglas fir woodchips obtained from Weyerhaeuser (Albany, Oreg.) and sieved to obtain a mesh size greater than 0.5 in.
  • Quartz Lumps of quartz having a silica content of 99.2% and a mesh size of from 0.5 in. to 2.5 in.
  • Carbon Black Pellets of carbon black, sold under the trademark Corax® N 660 (Degussa Corporation), having a sieve residue (325 Mesh) of 300 ppm max, a CTAB surface area of 38 m 2 /g, a DBP (dibutyl phthalate) absorption of 90 mL/100 g, an ash content of 0.5% max, and an individual pellet hardness (1.4-1.7 mm) of 30 g.
  • Adipic Acid (99%) was obtained from Alfa Aesar (Ward Hill, Mass.).
  • This example demonstrates preparation of carbon black honeycomb briquettes.
  • Carbon black (45.4 kg), 13.0 kg of refined sugar, and 6.5 kg of adipic acid were combined in a 55-gallon plastic-lined steel drum.
  • the contents of the drum were mixed for 7 h using a drum roller.
  • Deionized water 47 kg was added to the mixture, and mixing was continued for an additional 15 h to give a viscous paste.
  • the mixture was then extruded into cylindrical green honeycomb briquettes at a rate of 24 kg/h using a Bonnot 3′′ Twin-Packer Extruder (480 V, 7 hp), equipped with a multi-hole die (see FIG. 5 ).
  • the briquettes were placed on a conveyor belt (steel mesh) in a single layer and passed at a rate of 1.1 m/min. through a hot air oven at 260° C. for a dwell time of 4 min.
  • the temperature of the briquettes upon exiting the oven was generally not greater than 80° C.
  • the partially dried briquettes were cooled to room temperature with the aid of a fan positioned by the exit port of the oven.
  • the briquettes were placed in an oven (Blue M, 120 V, 30 A) on aluminum trays and heated to 170° C. at a rate of 2° C./min. in a nitrogen atmosphere. After 5 h at 170° C., the oven was turned off and the briquettes were allowed to cool to room temperature. A representative briquette is shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B .
  • A120-KVA electric arc furnace equipped with a 24-in. diameter graphite hearth and a 6-in. diameter graphite electrode was charged with quartz lumps (6.00 kg), 2.78 kg of wood chips, and 2.48 kg of the honeycomb briquettes of Example 1.
  • quartz lumps (6.00 kg)
  • 2.78 kg of wood chips 2.48 kg
  • the furnace tap hole was opened to remove the silicon.
  • the furnace was tapped about every two hours during a total period of 60 h.
  • the furnace was manually stoked and charged with raw materials, i.e., briquettes, quartz, and wood chips in the weight ratio of the initial charge, to maintain a constant charge depth.
  • a 120-KVA electric arc furnace equipped with a 24-in. diameter graphite hearth and a 6-in. diameter graphite electrode was charged with 6.00 kg of quartz lumps and 3.02 kg of the honeycomb briquettes of Example 1. About 9 h after striking the arc, the furnace tap hole was opened to remove the silicon. Thereafter, the furnace was tapped about every two hours during a total period of 55 h. After each tap, the furnace was manually stoked and charged with raw materials, i.e., briquettes and quartz in the weight ratio of the initial charge, to maintain a constant charge depth.

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US8900341B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2014-12-02 Dow Corning Corporation Method and system for producing an aluminum—silicon alloy
WO2017024378A1 (en) * 2015-08-07 2017-02-16 Pyrogenesis Canada Inc. Silica to high purity silicon production process
US20190055616A1 (en) * 2017-08-18 2019-02-21 China Steel Corporation Method for producing metal from metal oxide by carbothermic reduction and holed cake used therefor
CN117383564A (zh) * 2023-09-26 2024-01-12 内蒙古鑫元硅材料科技有限公司 一种指导工业硅生产配料的方法

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KR101306379B1 (ko) * 2011-10-05 2013-09-09 박상준 사출성형성이 우수한 성형금속의 제조방법.
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CN104138887B (zh) * 2014-07-24 2017-09-19 北方民族大学 一种固化污酸渣中铬的方法
NO20141486A1 (no) 2014-12-09 2016-06-10 Elkem As Energieffektiv integrert fremgangsmåte for fremstilling av metaller eller legeringer
CN104528727B (zh) * 2014-12-24 2016-08-24 东北大学 一种具有多级定向孔的多孔硅块体材料及其制备方法

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US8900341B2 (en) 2010-05-20 2014-12-02 Dow Corning Corporation Method and system for producing an aluminum—silicon alloy
WO2017024378A1 (en) * 2015-08-07 2017-02-16 Pyrogenesis Canada Inc. Silica to high purity silicon production process
US20190055616A1 (en) * 2017-08-18 2019-02-21 China Steel Corporation Method for producing metal from metal oxide by carbothermic reduction and holed cake used therefor
CN117383564A (zh) * 2023-09-26 2024-01-12 内蒙古鑫元硅材料科技有限公司 一种指导工业硅生产配料的方法

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NO20100244L (no) 2010-02-18
JP2010535697A (ja) 2010-11-25
EP2176435A1 (en) 2010-04-21
RU2010107955A (ru) 2011-09-20
KR20100043092A (ko) 2010-04-27
BRPI0814836A2 (pt) 2015-08-18
RU2458150C2 (ru) 2012-08-10
ZA201000904B (en) 2010-11-24

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