US4486226A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multistage process for preparing ferroboron
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
•
Filing: 1983-11-30
•
Granted: 1984-12-04
•
Expires: 2003-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A process for preparing ferroboron comprises first heating a mixture of boron oxide or boric acid, iron or iron oxide, carbon, and a carbohydrate to produce a foraminous char. During a subsequent two-stage reduction process in an electric or arc plasma furnace, ferroboron is produced and gaseous boric oxides are evolved. The boron values are captured as they move to the cooler regions of the furnace, resulting in high boron yields. The process is particularly useful in preparing pure and inexpensive raw material for the production of amorphous ferroalloys.
Inventors
- 👤 Clair E. Hildebrand
- 👤 Franklin S. Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 17:32
CPC Classifications
C; C22; C22C; C22C33/00; C22C33/003; C21; C21C; C21C5/00; C21C5/52; C21C5/5264; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P10/00; Y02P10/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A process for preparing ferroboron comprising the steps of: (a) heating a mixture comprising (i) a boron-containing material selected from the group consisting of boron oxides, boric acid, borax, colemanite, priceite, meyerhofferite, and mixtures thereof, (ii) iron, iron oxides, and mixtures thereof, (iii) a carbonaceous reducing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon black, activated carbon, coke, and mixtures thereof, and (iv) a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of sugars, starches, celluloses, and mixtures thereof at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a char that includes boron oxide; (b) moving the char into a first reducing zone of an electric or arc plasma furnace, while heating it to a temperature sufficient to partially reduce the boron oxide; (c) passing the material thereby produced to a second reducing zone, in which the material is further heated to a temperature sufficient to yield molten ferroboron; and (d) returning to cooler zones any vapors that are generated, whereby boron values in the vapors are retained in the cooler zones.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A process for preparing ferroboron comprising the steps of: (a) heating a mixture comprising (i) a boron-containing material selected from the group consisting of boron oxides, boric acid, borax, colemanite, priceite, meyerhofferite, and mixtures thereof, (ii) iron, iron oxides, and mixtures thereof, (iii) a carbonaceous reducing agent selected from the group consisting of carbon black, activated carbon, coke, and mixtures thereof, and (iv) a carbohydrate selected from the group consisting of sugars, starches, celluloses, and mixtures thereof at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a char that includes boron oxide; (b) moving the char into a first reducing zone of an electric or arc plasma furnace, while heating it to a temperature sufficient to partially reduce the boron oxide; (c) passing the material thereby produced to a second reducing zone, in which the material is further heated to a temperature sufficient to yield molten ferroboron; and (d) returning to cooler zones any vapors that are generated, whereby boron values in the vapors are retained in the cooler zones.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 in which the boron compound is boric acid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 in which the carbohydrate is a sugar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 in which the char is produced in the furnace.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 in which the char is first produced and then introduced into the furnace.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 in which the heating in the furnace is accomplished with a submerged arc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 in which the temperature in the first reducing zone is about 1000°-1300° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 in which the temperature in the second reducing zone is at least about 1500° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 in which the material moves through the zones of the furnace with bed turnovers/time less than about 0.5 hour -1 .
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4247528A
Cited
US4397691A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-04 | 1988-06-04 | 1988-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-04 | 1992-06-04 | 1992-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-04 | 1996-06-04 | 1996-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |