Thermodynamic Modeling of Reduction of Cerium from Slags of CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3–15Al2O3–8MgO by Calcium Carbide Additives

Thermodynamic modeling of the reduction of cerium from slags of the CaO–SiO2–Ce2O3 system containing 15% Al2O4 and 8% MgO, with aluminum dissolved in the metal together with calcium carbide additives at temperatures of 1550 and 1650°C was performed using the HSC 8.03 Chemistry software package (Outokumpu) based on the simplex lattice planning method used to minimize Gibbs energy. The results of thermodynamic modeling are presented in the form of composition-property diagrams (equilibrium content of cerium in the metal) for temperatures of 1550 and 1650°C. It is shown that the formation of slags within a basicity range of 2–3 containing 1–7% Ce2O3 provides an equilibrium concentration of cerium in the metal varying from 1 to 7 ppm at a temperature of 1550°C. The displacement of slags in the area of increased basicity (up to 3–5) is accompanied by an increase in the equilibrium concentration of cerium in the metal up to 7–23 ppm with a content of 3–7% Ce2O3 and as a consequence an increase in the efficiency of the process of cerium reduction. At a temperature of 1650°C, the equilibrium concentration of cerium in the metal within the basicity range of 2–3 and having a Ce2O3 content of 1–7% varies from 2 to 12 ppm. The displacement of slags in the area of increased basicity (up to 3–5) is accompanied by an increase in the equilibrium concentration of cerium in the metal to 7–33 ppm with a Ce2O3 content of 3–7%. The positive influence of the temperature factor basicity of slags and the content of cerium oxide on the process of its reduction is qualitatively explained from the standpoint of the formation of the phase composition of the slags of the studied oxide system and the thermodynamics of chemical reactions of reduction of cerium with aluminum dissolved in the metal, as well as with aluminum dissolved in the metal together with calcium carbide additives.