Reaction of Clay and Carbon to Form and Separate Al ₂ O ₃ and SiC

Alumina and SiC can be recovered from clay by carbon reduction. Kinetic experiments showed that the solid‐solid reaction proceeds through gaseous intermediates of CO and SiO. By mixing part of the carbon with the clay and using the balance to form SiC, Al 2 O 3 and SiC were physically separated as products. This separation is represented by image image Optimum conditions for ease of separation of Al 2 O 3 and SiC and the high rate of reaction require pelletization of both the clay‐carbon mixture and the carbon of reaction () and the reaction of these pellets at >1500°C. By examining the effect of transition metal catalysts, SiC formation was determined to be rate‐controlling.