Reduction of aluminum oxide in a nonequilibrium hydrogen plasma

• Published in: Journal of engineering physics and thermophysics Vol. 73; no. 3; pp. 568 - 572
• Main Authors: Lyubochko, V. A., Malikov, V. V., Parfenov, O. G., Belousova, N. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01-05-2000
• ISSN: 1062-0125; 1573-871X
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02681800

A new method is proposed and experimental investigations are carried out aimed at reducing aluminum oxide in a nonequilibrium hydrogen plasma of a combined glow discharge (CGD) at a pressure of 1315.8-13,158 Pa, a discharge current of 5·10^sup -2^-3 A, and a hydrogen flow rate of 10^sup -6^-10^sup -4^ nm^sup 3^/sec. A high degree of conversion of the aluminum oxide (60%) with an energy consumption of 20 kW·h/kg of Al^sub 2^O^sub 3^ is attained. Reduction of metals from oxides and other compounds in a CGD nonequilibrium hydrogen plasma can be used for producing rare-earth and high-purity metals.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]