The preparation of ferroboron and ferrovanadium by aluminothermic reduction

The processes for the production of ferroboron and ferrovanadium from indigenous resources by open aluminothermic reduction have been described. The influence of process parameters such as charge composition, particle size, and the use of fluxes on the yield and composition of the ferroalloys obtained are discussed. In the case of ferroboron, it has been possible to obtain a recovery of 60% of boron as Fe-15B while restricting the residual aluminium content in the product to approximately 2% by using 90% of stoichiometric aluminium in the charge. In the case of ferrovanadium, it has been possible to achieve a recovery of 70% of vanadium as Fe-75V by using 5% excess aluminium in the charge, with the same percentage remaining as residual aluminium in the product.