PROCESS FOR THE THERMAL REDUCTION OF ALUMINA-BEARING ORES

摘要

Aluminum-silicon alloys having an aluminum content greater than 50 weight percent aluminum are prepared by the thermal reduction of a furnace feed comprising alumina- and silica-bearing ores and elemental silicon to form aluminum alloys. The furnace feed is characterized by containing specified amounts of water of hydration in relation to the total amount of silica and alumina present, a specified amount of elemental silicon in relation to the total amount of silica and alumina and the feed has a silica to alumina ratio falling within specified limits. The thermal reduction is carried out by applying a rate of throughput of materials fast enough to effect dehydration while at the same time minimizing subsequent densification and induration in such a way that the furnace feed does not become fully calcined prior to introduction into the reaction zone of the furnace.