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Letters
Questions about aluminum process
August, Chementator, This new process promises substantial savings for aluminum production, p. 9: The reaction of aluminum carbide and aluminum oxide to aluminum and carbon monoxide is so hugely endothermic that it cannot possibly take place at themoderate temperatures quoted. Richard Durrant U.K.

Source’s reply
It is true that the reaction of aluminum carbide and aluminum oxide is hugely endothermic and needs a high level of energy to proceed. However, according to thermodynamics (using JANAF data), this reaction starts to produce a measurable value of CO gas at 1,527°C and operates at one atmosphere CO pressure at about 2,080°C temperature.In the conventional carbothermic processes, strong kinetic barriers hinder the reaction, and to overcome these barriers, temperatures higher than 2,250°C are required. So, any process that can reduce these barriers can produce metal at 1 atm CO at about 2,080°C temperature. In the Thermical process, these barriers are removed and in addition, metallic aluminum present in the charge (xAl-A2O3 +Al4C3) plays a role in enhancing the reaction rate. At the same time, using hydrocarbon gas as a carrier and carbon supplier dilutes the generated CO in the reactor. When natural gas is used as the carbon source, the hydrogen generated in the charge production zone enters into the metal production zone and dilutes the CO gas generated in metal production zone. As the hydrogen passes through thereaction zone, the CO content of the gas increases and the off-gas leaves the reaction zone with 2H2 + CO composition. Therefore, a lower temperature is needed to produce metal at 1 atm. The company website (www.calsmelt.com) contains the patent texts in the Thermical IP section. Calsmelt is now ready to build a pilot plant to test the process. Yaghoub Sayad-Yaghoub Calsmelt Pty Ltd., Melborne,Australia

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Postscripts, corrections
May, Bookshelf, p. 9: The price quoted for “Stoichiometry 5th ed.” By B.I. Bhatt and S.B. Thakore was incorrectly listed as $66.16. The correct list price for the book is $41.50.

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building, and perhaps for higher-grade products, such as rock wool. Sale of this byproduct for road building can have a significant impact on overall plant economics, as it not only brings in revenue, but also avoids landfilling (the typical fate of MSW ash). In my opinion, the issue of siting and permitting is...