Microwave Application in the Reduction of Metal Oxides with Carbon

Reduction of metal oxide pellets containing carbon, i.e., carbothermic reduction, is a textbook case for the efficient production of metal. To date, the process has not been successful because conventional heating has been unable to supply the heat fast enough volumetrically, resulting in pellets with «cold centers.» It is shown that microwave heating overcomes this problem naturally and also yields a range of other benefits not possible with conventional processing