Continuous carbothermal reactor

US4983553A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY · US

Inventors

• David A. Dunn · Jarrow, GB
• Michael S. Paquette · Midland, US
• Henry Easter · Atkins, US
• Roger K. Pihlaja · Spring Park, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 1989
• Grant date: Jan 8, 1991
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C01B21/0726
• WIPO field: Materials, metallurgy
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

By supplying gaseous nitrogen throughout a discrete aliquot of a preferably pelletized mixture of aluminum oxide, carbon and, optionally, calcium oxide during the carbothermal reduction thereof to aluminum nitride and continuously removing gaseous reaction products therefrom, a high quality aluminum nitride is produced. One means of supplying gaseous nitrogen to the mixture of solid reactants is a perforated tray having a hollowed-out bottom. Gaseous nitrogen supplied to the hollowed-out portion flows through the perforations and throughout solid reactants contained in the tray. The carbon may be alternatively supplied, in whole or in part, as a gaseous reactant.