Carbothermic Reduction and Chlorination of Alumina with Coal in Vacuum

Metal aluminum was produced in a vacuum furnace using coal as reductant and aluminum chloride as chlorination agent and examined by means of XRD and SEM. The produced metal aluminum was impure. Reaction mechanism analysis showed that the carbothermic reduction of alumina with coal occurred following the chlorination, then metal aluminum was accquired and condensed on the collecting plate. A probable mechanism concerning carbothermic reduction and chlorination was discussed.