US4216010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Aluminum purification system
Assignee: Reynolds Metals Co
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Filing: 1979-01-31
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Granted: 1980-08-05
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Expires: 1999-01-31
Abstract
Abstract A method for extracting aluminum of substantial purity from furnace products resulting from carbothermic reduction of alumina-bearing ores and contaminated with up to about 30 weight percent of aluminum carbide is disclosed. The method involves contacting the furnace product with a high alumina-containing molten slag in the substantial absence of reactive carbon, so as to cause the alumina-containing slag to react with the aluminum carbide, thereby diminishing the aluminum carbide content of the furnace product.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Kibby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 23:23
CPC Classifications
F; F27; F27B; F27B1/00; F27B1/08; C; C22; C22B; C22B21/00; C22B21/02; C22B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A process for decreasing aluminum carbide contamination of aluminum produced by carbothermic processes, said process comprising: A. preparing said aluminum contaminated with about 2-20 weight percent aluminum carbide as a melt at an initial temperature sufficiently high to keep said melt in a fluid state; B. contacting said melt with a high-alumina containing molten slag in the absence of reactive carbon so as to cause the alumina-containing slag to react with the aluminum carbide in said melt; and C. recovering aluminum having a diminished aluminum carbon content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A process for decreasing aluminum carbide contamination of aluminum produced by carbothermic processes, said process comprising: A. preparing said aluminum contaminated with about 2-20 weight percent aluminum carbide as a melt at an initial temperature sufficiently high to keep said melt in a fluid state; B. contacting said melt with a high-alumina containing molten slag in the absence of reactive carbon so as to cause the alumina-containing slag to react with the aluminum carbide in said melt; and C. recovering aluminum having a diminished aluminum carbon content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the high-alumina containing molten slag comprises 80-97 weight percent alumina, balance aluminum carbide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the slag comprises 85-90 weight percent alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the high-alumina containing molten slag comprises: ______________________________________
CaO 10-55 weight percent
MgO O-5 weight percent
Al.sub.4 C.sub.3 O-18 weight percent
Balance Alumina
______________________________________
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the calcium oxide comprises 40-45 weight percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said high-alumina containing molten slag melts at about 1500°-1900° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 4 wherein in step (B) a relatively pure aluminum is separated prior to contact with said slag at reduction temperatures.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the aluminum in step (A) is contaminated with about 10-20 weight percent of aluminum carbide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-08-05 | 1984-02-04 | 1984-08-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-08-05 | 1988-02-04 | 1988-08-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-08-05 | 1992-02-04 | 1992-08-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |