Abstract
A novel multi-stage Al production through a carbosulphidation of Al2O3, followed by a sodiothermic reduction of Al2S3, was proposed. In Stage-1, alumina (or bauxite) is reduced to Al2S3 in the presence of carbon and H2S. In Stage-2, Al2S3 is reduced to Al through reactions with Na or NaH. The thermodynamic analysis predicted Al2S3 to be the main intermediate Al-compound when H2S is reacted with Al2S3 and C at 1000-2000 degrees C at 1 atm. Al2S3 formation was predicted to be low at 1100-1300 degrees C at 1 atm (0.1 moles/mole Al2O3) but increased with increasing temperature (0.96 moles/mole Al2O3 at 1800 degrees C). The thermodynamic analysis of sodiothermic reduction predicted that Al metal can be extracted from Al2S3 below 800 degrees C at 1 atm. The Na2S produced can be hydrolysed to form H2S and NaOH. H2S can be re-used and the Na can be reproduced from NaOH and put back into the process.