Metallothermic reduction of rare earth oxides with calcium metal.

摘要

Rare earth oxides can be reduced to rare earth metals by, a novel, high yield, metallothermic process. The oxides are dispersed in a suitable, molten, calcium chloride-based bath (44) along with calcium metal. The bath (44) is agitated and calcium metal reduces the rare earth oxides to rare earth metals. The metals collect in a discrete layer (43) in the reaction vessel (22).