Method for the carbothermic reduction of metal oxides using solar energy

摘要

An apparatus and process are disclosed for utilizing solar radiation and the energy contained therein for the carbothermic reduction of a metal oxide to a metal carbide. The apparatus comprises a reflective surface which collects and focuses solar radiation onto a focal mirror which consequentially reflects and focuses the solar light rays into a reaction chamber through a Fresnel lens and a transparent window provided on the chamber. The solar light rays are focused by the reflective surface focal mirror and Fresnel lens such that the energy absorbed by reactants in the reaction chamber is sufficient for the carbothermic reduction of the metal oxide.