Patent US3607221A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3607221A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Carbothermic production of aluminum
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1969-02-17
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Granted: 1971-09-21
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Expires: 1989-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A carbothermic process for the production of substantially pure aluminum metal comprising (a) introducing a feed comprising an aluminum oxide and aluminum carbide and/or carbon into a heating zone; (b) maintaining the heating zone at an elevated temperature sufficient to quickly vaporize all products to essentially only gaseous aluminum and carbon monoxide; (c) containing the vaporous mixture in the absence of a reactive environment with a layer of liquid aluminum at a temperature sufficiently low that the vapor pressure of the liquid aluminum is less than the partial pressure of the aluminum vapor in contact with it and sufficiently high to prevent the reaction of carbon monoxide and aluminum; and (d) recovering the substantially pure aluminum.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M Kibby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 00:30
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22B; C22B21/00; C22B21/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein aluminum carbide is reacted with aluminum oxide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein carbon is reacted with the aluminum oxide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the aluminum Oxide and aluminum carbide and/or carbon are formed into baked electrodes and then operated against one another at a temperature in excess of 2,600* K. to form the vaporous mixture of gaseous aluminum and carbon monoxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the aluminum oxide and aluminum carbide and/or carbon are introduced into the heating zone of a plasma arc producing a temperature in excess of 2,600* K.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the aluminum vapor is condensed on liquid aluminum maintained at a temperature of above about 2,400* K.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein an inert gas is introduced into the heating zone to control the pressure therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 7 wherein the inert gas is a hydrocarbon.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 8 wherein a chemically stable mixture consisting of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and a small proportion of aluminum vapor is removed from the condensation zone and sent to an electric power generator to generate electricity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process according to claim 9 wherein at least one stage of the electric power generator is an MHD generator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process according to claim 9 wherein the condensed aluminum on the liquid aluminum surface is removed to a cooling zone maintained at a temperature of about 1,000* K.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein the layer of aluminum in the cooling zone has a layer of flux thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 12 wherein the atmosphere in the cooling zone above the aluminum layer comprises an inert gas.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process according to claim 13 wherein the substantially pure aluminum is recovered from the cooling zone beneath the flux.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 11 wherein aluminum oxide is removed from the electric power generator and returned to the system for reaction with carbon and/or aluminum carbide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the carbon monoxide/aluminum chemically stable mixture is removed from the reactor by pulling a vacuum on the system.
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US3186832A
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-20 | 1975-03-22 | 1975-09-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-20 | 1979-03-22 | 1979-09-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-20 | 1983-03-22 | 1983-09-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |