Metallographic Estimation of the Number of Forming Metallic Particles Obtained during Direct and Indirect Reduction of Metals from Complex Oxides

Abstract

The direct reduction of metals from a complex oxide with low iron content by solid carbon and indirect reduction by CO gas were studied in a vertical laboratory resistance furnace at 1300 °C for an hour reduction time. The experimental results were described from the point of view of the electrochemical nature of the metal reduction process, that involves the interaction of ions and electrons in the oxide lattice. The technique was developed by using the two different software programs for the quantitative estimation of the areas, average size and number of the metal forming in a complex oxide with extensive fields of vision. The obtained results of the quantitative characteristics of the metal forming during solid-phase carbo-thermal reduction were presented. The processes of reduction by solid carbon and CO gas based on the areas occupied by metal particles were quantitatively compared. The experimental results and the prospects for further experimental work were assessed and outlined.