Thermodynamic Modelling of Rare-Earth Elements - Oxygen Interaction

Abstract

Fusibility curves of FeO–La2O3–Al2O3, FeO–Ce2O3–Al2O3, La2O3– Ce2O3–Al2O3 oxide systems are created based on the literature data and modern thermodynamic theories of oxide and metal melts. Admitting the oxide systems conjugation with the area of metal melts existence, we define oxide phases, which can maintain the equilibrium with metal melts of Fe–Ce–Al–O, Fe–La–Ce–Al–O systems. The surfaces of component solubility are created for above mentioned metal melts. For Fe–Ce–Al–O system it is established that the following phases can be at equilibrium with metal: Al2O3, Сe2O3, FeO∙Al2O3, Сe2O3∙11Al2O3, Сe2O3∙Al2O3, and the oxide melt (FeO, Al2O3, Сe2O3, СeO2). For Fe–La–Ce–Al–O system the following oxide phases can be at equilibrium with the liquid metal: La2O3, Al2O3, Сe2O3, La2O3∙Al2O3, Сe2O3∙11Al2O3, Сe2O3∙Al2O3, and the oxide melt (FeO, La2O3, Al2O3, Сe2O3, СeO2). Diagrams of active components consumption, which are used to establish the possibility of chosen equilibrium, are created for iron deoxidation with cerium and aluminium as well as with Ce and La at fixed Al content (0.01 wt. %).