Abstract: Method and apparatus for preparing at least one metal chloride from metal oxide containing material comprising calcining the metal oxide containing material under temperature conditions sufficient to obtain a calcined product comprising at least one metal oxide; and selectively chlorinating the calcined product to form at least one metal chloride.

Abstract: Provided is a method of recovering rare-earth elements by which rare-earth elements can be recovered efficiently from a bauxite residue serving as a raw material and containing the rare-earth elements. Specifically provided is a method of recovering rare-earth elements from a raw material, the raw material being a bauxite residue produced as a by-product in a Bayer process, the method including: using a bauxite residue having a specific surface area of 35 m2/g or more; adding, to the raw material bauxite residue, a liquid leaching agent formed of an aqueous solution of at least one kind of mineral acid selected from sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and sulfurous acid, thereby preparing a slurry having a liquid-solid ratio of 2 to 30 and a pH of 0.5 to 2.2; subjecting the slurry to leaching treatment of the rare-earth elements under a temperature condition of room temperature to 160° C.

Abstract: An improved dilute phase chlorination procedure characterized by providing extremely finely divided oxygen-containing metallic material and a carbonaceous material co-milled together to a particle size size of less than 20 microns. The finely divided charge material is introduced into a tubular reaction zone, preferably at the bottom, with the gaseous chlorination agent where reaction occurs at a temperature above 800.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to fully react the chlorinating agent in a single pass. Metal chloride is recovered from the tubular reactor and, most advantageously, there is little or no need to separate any dusty unreacted solid material from the off-gases for recycle to the chlorination zone.

Abstract: Gallium-containing waste is chlorinated in the presence of gallium trichloride from the beginning. By this procedure, gallium is more efficiently chlorinated and gallium trichloride is more easily separated from other chlorides and recovered.

Abstract: The invention is primarily directed to the production of a substantially iron free alumina-silica product and substantially iron free aluminum chloride from bauxites, bauxitic clays and kaolinitic clays wherein the feed material to an agglomeration stage is selected to contain a minimum of about 20% kaolinite mineral. The agglomerates are so formed to produce a product that is preferably at least minus 6 mesh plus 200 mesh and in a subsequent calcination stage the calcined agglomerates have a bulk density of preferably 0.8 to 1.3. In a subsequent differential iron chlorination stage a substantially iron free alumina-silica product is produced and in a subsequent mass chlorination stage substantially iron free aluminum chloride is produced.

Abstract: A mixture of an aluminous ore and a carbon source is dried and calcined in the presence of a sulfur-containing compound. The mixture is then chlorinated to produce crude metal chlorides. Aluminum chloride is condensed and separated from the remaining metal chlorides, combined with sulfur and aluminum powder, and sublimated and desublimated so as to produce substantially pure aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Scrap containing gallium and arsenic is treated with chlorine gas to form a crude gallium and arsenic chloride mixture. Arsenic chloride and impurities having a lower boiling point than that of arsenic chloride are removed from the mixture by vaporization so that crude gallium chloride may be obtained. The crude gallium chloride is purified by distillation. The purified gallium chloride is electrolyzed to yield metallic gallium. If the scrap has a molar gallium/arsenic ratio exceeding 1, arsenic chloride or metallic arsenic or both are added to the scrap before it if treated with chlorine gas.

Abstract: A selective chlorination method of a mixture of simple or complex metallic oxides, comprising at least one of the elements to be used, iron, aluminum, titanium and silicon, as well as the impurities accompanying said elements, said method consisting of a grinding, a calcination, a placing in suspension in a bath of melted salts of the mixture of said metallic oxides and of their impurities and of an introduction of chlorinating agents into said bath maintained at a temperature which assures the volatility of at least one of the metallic chlorides formed; characterized by the fact that, in order to selectively extract the metallic chlorides formed from the bath, specific chlorinating mixtures are introduced into this bath by successive steps, said mixtures having increasing chlorinating power, and the introduction is in a number at the most equal to the usuable elements to be chlorinated.

Abstract: A process for decomposing chlorinated hydrocarbon compounds wherein the compounds are heated to an elevated temperature of about 800.degree. to 1200.degree. C. and reacted with alumina and a reactive carbon source. A preferred operating temperature is about 800.degree. to 900.degree. C. and preferred carbon sources are activated carbon and coked alumina. The process is particularly useful for disposing of chlorinated organic compounds that are generated in the production of metal chlorides by chlorination of a metal oxide in the presence of carbon.

Abstract: In the fluidized bed chlorination of oxidic materials, for example minerals such as bauxite, tantalite, columbite, wolframite or scheelite, the separation of metal values giving vaporous chlorides at the reaction temperature is enhanced by maintaining a zone substantially free of chlorine in the fluidized bed, for example a zone at least 0.25 m in depth measured from the expanded bed surface. A high aspect ratio bed and counter current movement of the bed matter and the chlorine within the bed are preferably used.

Abstract: An improved solid carbon reductant comprising partially calcined carbonaceous materials such as petroleum coke, containing relatively low amounts of residual hydrocarbons and a relatively high surface area and thus increased activity as compared to known reductants is provided. This improved reductant is produced by a method comprising heating the carbonaceous material in an oxidizing atmosphere to a temperature of from about 650.degree. C. to about 950.degree. C., preferably from about 800.degree. C. to about 875.degree. C., and most preferably at a temperature about 850.degree. C. In addition, according to the present invention improved chlorination processes are provided using these reductants which result in reduced levels of chlorinated hydrocarbon (C.sub.x Cl.sub.y) production due to reduced residual hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment anhydrous aluminum chloride is produced by chlorination of aluminum hexahydrate using the improved reductant.

Abstract: Alkali and alkaline earth metal chlorides contained in a residue of a chlorination process of a feed material of bauxite or clay associated with coal are removed by the addition of sulfuric acid which causes their conversion to their sulfate form, and the simultaneous production of hydrochloric acid. The residue, which has been rendered environmentally acceptable, can be disposed of readily, for example, to an ash pond or disposal area for flue gas desulfurization sludges. The hydrochloric acid is then recycled to the chlorination process. The hydrochloric acid may be utilized, for example, as a binder of the feed material, to prechloridize the feed material or as a portion of the leach solution when the chlorination process is a hydrochloric acid leach.

Abstract: At least a two stage chlorination system for the production of aluminum trichloride and aluminum monochloride wherein in the gas stream containing the highest percentages of aluminum chloride produced CO.sub.2 is present and the said gas stream is passed through a charcoal or devolatilized coke bed in a preferred temperature range of about 1000.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. to convert the said CO.sub.2 to CO and cycling at least part of the said CO produced to at least the second chlorination stage.

Abstract: At least a two-stage chlorination system for the production of a substantially iron-free alumina-silica product from Bauxites and Clays wherein in a preferred embodiment of the invention the chlorination agent is selected from the group consisting of Cl.sub.2, HCl and COCl.sub.2 in the first chlorination stage and wherein in the second chlorination stage the chlorination agent is selected from the group consisting of AlCl.sub.3 and SiCl.sub.4.

Abstract: At least a single stage chlorination system for the production of a substantially iron-free alumina-silica product from Bauxites, Bauxitic Clays and Clays wherein at least one chlorination agent is selected from the group consisting of Cl.sub.2, HCl and COCl.sub.2 and at least one chlorination agent from the group consisting of AlCl.sub.3 and SiCl.sub.4.

Abstract: At least a single stage chlorination system for the production of a substantially iron-free alumina-silica product from Bauxites, Bauxitic Clays and Clays wherein at least one chlorination agent is selected from the group consisting of Cl.sub.2, COCl.sub.2, AlCl.sub.2, AlCl, SiCl.sub.4 and SiCl.sub.2 and wherein the said chlorination agent is a limited percentage of the total gas stream.

Abstract: A method for producing alumina from a material containing alumina values via a chlorination step which process comprises the steps of:(A) dehydrating the material, if necessary, at a temperature of between about 500 and about 1300.degree. K.;(B) chlorinating the product of step (A) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature below about 1200.degree. K. and under conditions which provide chlorination of a majority of the iron present in the clay without substantial chlorination of titania values which may be present therein with concommittant formation of an iron chloride cloud above the surface of the chlorination reaction mixture;(C) introducing oxygen into the iron chloride cloud under conditions to cause oxidation of a majority of the iron chloride contained in the cloud;(D) chlorinating the non-gaseous product of step (B) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature above about 1300.degree. K.

Abstract: There is described a method for producing alumina from a material containing alumina values via a chlorination step which process comprises the steps of:(A) dehydrating the material, if necessary, at a temperature of between about 500 and about 1300.degree. K;(B) chlorinating the product of step (A) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature below about 1200.degree. K and under conditions which provide chlorination of a majority of the iron present in the clay without substantial chlorination of titania values which may be present therein with concommittant formation of an iron chloride cloud above the surface of the chlorination reaction mixture;(C) introducing oxygen into the iron chloride cloud under conditions to cause oxidation of a majority of the iron chloride contained in the cloud;(D) chlorinating the non-gaseous product of step (B) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature above about 1300.degree.

Abstract: A two stage process is described for chlorinating aluminum value containing materials such as bauxite, clay, fly ash, etc. The process comprises the steps of:(A) dehydrating the material, if necessary, at a temperature of between about 500.degree. and about 1300.degree. K.;(B) chlorinating the product of step (A) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature below about 1200.degree. K. and under conditions which provide chlorination of a majority of the iron present in the clay without substantial chlorination of titania values which may be present therein with concommittant formation of an iron chloride cloud above the surface of the chlorination reaction mixture;(C) introducing oxygen into the iron chloride cloud under conditions to cause oxidation of a majority of the iron chloride contained in the cloud; and(D) chlorinating the non-gaseous product of step (B) in the presence of chlorine and carbon at a temperature above about 1300.degree. K.

Abstract: This invention relates to the recovery of molybdenum, vanadium, and aluminum, as well as of cobalt and nickel, from the residues of hydrodesulfurization catalysts.PRIOR ARTMolybdenum-containing catalysts are used in the petroleum industry for the hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbons. The hydrodesulfurization treatment consists in contacting petroleum or a petroleum fraction with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst so as to remove the sulfur as gaseous hydrogen sulfide. The catalysts used for said purpose generally comprise a support material made of alumina containing, as active components, either molybdenum and cobalt or molybdenum and nickel. Sometimes catalysts in which the support consists of silica in place of alumina are also used.The active components, i.e. molybdenum, cobalt and/or nickel, are present as oxides in the fresh catalysts. The percentages of active components are variable. In most cases, these percentages are of about 10-15% for molybdenum oxide (MoO.sub.

Abstract: The efficiency of a given reactor for the conversion of aluminum oxide bearing starting material by means of reducing and chlorinating gases or of carbon coated aluminum oxide bearing starting material by means of chlorinating gases in a solid/gas fluidized bed to yield aluminum chloride is improved by the addition of an inert, solid dilution agent to the bed. Whereas, as a result of the chemical reaction, the average particle size and bulk density of the reagent decreases in a batch process, and in a continuous process an equilibrium value is reached, the average particle size and the bulk density of the inert material remains unchanged. An initial average particle size of 60-80 microns proved successful; quartz, corundum, magnesium oxide of similar particle size and bulk density was added as dilution agent, and a gas flow rate of 2 to 30 cm/sec was attained along with quantitative conversion of the gaseous reagent.

Abstract: A process for recovering aluminum from clays associated with coal or bauxite containing iron, siliceous material and titanium which comprises: (a) chlorinating the clay or bauxite in an oxidizing atmosphere to selectively chlorinate and vaporize iron chloride from the remaining chlorides, (b) chlorinating the residue from step (a) in a reducing atmosphere or carbon monoxide and vaporizing the chlorides of aluminum, silicon, titanium, and the residual iron, (c) separating and recovering the formed vaporized chlorides by selective condensation. Silicon tetrachloride may be added to step (b) to suppress the chlorination of silicon. If the clay contains alkali or alkaline earth metals, then the residue of step (b) is treated with sulfuric acid to convert the soluble chlorides, e.g., gypsum, to sulfates and to regenerate a chloridizing and binder solution for pelletizing the clay or bauxite.

Abstract: A continuous process for recovering substantially pure aluminum chloride from chlorination products of aluminum ore. The chlorination products are contacted with a first selective solvent to dissolve a substantial portion of the aluminum chloride and some ferric chloride. The solvent is separated from the chlorides which then are treated to produce a ferric chloride-rich stream and an aluminum chloride-rich stream in which the aluminum chloride to ferric chloride ratio is higher than the ratio prior to solvent separation. The aluminum chloride-rich stream is contacted with a second solvent to dissolve any ferric chloride present and saturate the solution with aluminum chloride. Aluminum chloride in excess of that soluble in the second solvent separates as a substantially pure solid phase. The solution is separated from solid phase and recycled in process to recover additional aluminum chloride.

Abstract: A process for the removal of iron and titanium minerals from aluminum bearing materials in at least one chlorination stage by the use of an excess of aluminum trichloride as at least the major chlorinating agent for the contained iron and titanium minerals, condensing the excess aluminum trichloride to recover the aluminum trichloride in an impure form, and recycling the impure aluminum trichloride to the chlorination stage together with additional aluminum trichloride or starvation amounts of chlorine, or alternately additional amounts of aluminum trichloride and starvation amounts of chlorine.

Abstract: A method of producing aluminum chloride from aluminous materials containing compounds of iron, titanium and silicon comprising reacting the aluminous materials with carbon and a chlorine-containing gas at a temperature of about 900.degree. K. to form a gaseous mixture containing chlorides of aluminum, iron, titanium and silicon and oxides of carbon; cooling the gaseous mixture to a temperature of about 400.degree. K. or lower to condense the aluminum chlorides and iron chlorides while titanium chloride and silicon chloride remain in the gas phase to effect a separation thereof; heating the mixture of iron chlorides and aluminum chlorides to a temperature of about 800.degree. K. to form gaseous aluminum chlorides and iron chlorides; passing the heated gases into intimate contact with aluminum sulfide to precipitate solid iron sulfide and to form additional gaseous aluminum chlorides; and separating the gaseous aluminum chloride from the solid iron sulfide.

Abstract: A process for the selective removal of iron from a ferruginous ore which comprises feeding the dried heated ore into a countercurrent reactor comprising a sulphidizing zone, an intermediate zone and a chlorination zone, through which zones the ore moves in sequence and wherein(a) in the sulphidizing zone, a reductant is introduced and the iron values present in the ore react selectively with sulphur and/or volatile sulphur-containing compounds in the presence of the reductant to form iron sulphides;(b) in the intermediate zone, volatile ferric chloride formed in the chlorinating zone is introduced and reacts with the sulphidized ore to convert the iron sulphides into ferrous chloride and reform the sulphur and/or volatile sulphur containing compounds;(c) in the chlorination zone, chlorine is introduced and converts the ferrous chloride formed in the intermediate zone into volatile ferric chloride;(d) the volatile iron chlorides and the upgraded host oxide are separately removed from the chlorination zone; and

Abstract: Aluminum chloride is produced from clay containing aluminum oxide and silicon oxide by chlorinating clay in at least two stages with a mixture consisting of a chlorinating agent, a reducing agent, an alkali metal compound catalyst and silicon tetrachloride in which the proportions and amounts of the feed gases to each stage are separately regulated to suit the needs of the aluminum chloride production reaction in that stage. The effluent gases from the successive stages are collected and the silicon tetrachloride is separated from such gases and recycled back into the reactors to promote chlorination of the aluminum oxide in the clay while suppressing net chlorination of the silicon oxide fraction of the clay.

Abstract: The use of a wire guide plate on an electrode-atomizer assembly used for preparing gaseous metal halides results in greatly increased consistency of operation and length of time between shut-downs of the equipment.

Abstract: A process for recovering aluminum from fly ash containing iron, silicon and titanium which comprises: (a) chlorinating the fly ash in an oxidizing atmosphere to selectively chlorinate and vaporize iron chloride from the remaining chlorides, (b) chlorinating the residue from step (a) in a reducing atmosphere of carbon monoxide, in the presence of added silicon chloride to suppress the chlorination of silicon, and vaporizing the chlorides of aluminum, silicon, titanium, and the residual iron, (c) separating and recovering the vaporized chlorides by selective condensation, and treating the residue of step (b) with sulfuric acid to convert calcium chloride to gypsum, and to regenerate a chloridizing and binder solution for pelletizing fly ash feed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel process for the preferential chlorination of alumina over silica in the carbo-chlorination of kaolinitic ores to produce aluminum chloride. The process comprises introducing small amounts of alkali metal compounds with oxyanions into the carbo-chlorination process. Preferred embodiments are directed to particular compounds of alkali metals with oxyanions selected from the group consisting of carbonates, sulfates, hydroxides, oxides, phosphates, and the like. The present invention results in significantly reduced energy, manufacturing, and equipment costs and thus represents a breakthrough in the utilization of domestic ores such as kaolinitic clay for the production of aluminum chloride or alumina through oxidation of the aluminum chloride.

Abstract: Recovery of high purity aluminum chloride is achieved by use of a series of condensers wherein the first condenser is operated at a high temperature of 80.degree.-110.degree. C to insure minimum condensation of other metal chlorides such as titanium chloride, silicon chloride, or the like, while a second condenser operates at a much lower temperature of from 20.degree.-50.degree. C to trap all impurities while reducing the chloride losses to a minimum. The product of the first condenser may then be used as a feed for the electrolytic reduction of aluminum chloride to metallic aluminum.

Abstract: A process for the production of aluminum chloride comprises providing a mixture of high purity activated carbon and alumina and bubbling chlorine gas therethrough, the mixture being kept at a temperature in the range of 500.degree. to 775.degree. C. Aluminum chloride is removed from the mixture as a vapor and condensed.

Abstract: Aluminum chloride is produced from clay containing aluminum oxide and silicon oxide by chlorinating the clay through contact with a mixture consisting essentially of a chlorinating agent, a reducing agent, an alkali metal compound catalyst, and silicon chloride; and thereafter separating the reaction products from the chlorination step; and recycling back to the chlorination step substantially all the silicon chloride separated from the reaction products to thereby promote the chlorination of the aluminum oxide in the clay while suppressing chlorination of the silicon oxide.

Abstract: The production of aluminum chloride from a source material containing both aluminum compounds and silicon compounds such as for example clay is improved by selective use of source materials having a surface area of at least 15 meter.sup.2 /gram; comminution of the source material after dehydration to a particle size of not greater than 0.6 mm (millimeters); and chlorinating the comminuted source material in the presence of a gaseous reducing agent at a temperature of at least 600.degree. C but less than 700.degree. C. This not only improves the rate of chlorination and improves the percentage of aluminum oxide converted to aluminum chloride but also improves the ratio of aluminum chloride to silicon chloride produced, thus producing less silicon chloride byproduct which otherwise must be recirculated to the chlorination reactor or otherwise disposed of.

Abstract: A novel improvement in the process for the carbochlorination of kaolinitic ores is provided wherein the improvement comprises adding catalytic amounts of boron chloride to the carbo-chlorination step which results in the catalyzed and controlled chlorination of alumina and silica. Preferably, about 0.3 to 5.0 percent of boron chloride per volume of chlorine is added to the chlorination step and in combination with from 5 to 40 percent or more of reductant carbon to provide a conjoint action wherein preferential chlorination of alumina over silica is obtained at low levels of boron chloride and reductant and total chlorination of both alumina and silica are obtained at high boron chloride and reductant levels.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of aluminum chloride from coked alumina and chlorine comprises providing a bed of coked alumina in a reaction vessel and introducing gaseous chlorine thereto in an amount sufficient to fluidize the bed, at least a portion of the vessel having a nitride-based refractory lining especially adjacent and bounding the lower part of the fluidized bed. Aluminum chloride formed is recovered as a gaseous effluent emmanating from the bed.

Abstract: Hot vapors of aluminum chloride and by-products produced in the chlorination of aluminous material to form aluminum chloride are cooled by contacting the vapors with solid aluminum chloride as the vapors exit from the reactor and before the vapors come in contact with filter materials. This cooling reduces the temperature of the vapors from an initial temperature of about 600.degree.-800.degree. C down to about 300.degree.-350.degree. C thereby preventing or inhibiting attack of the filter materials by the hot vapors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of aluminum chloride and alumina of metallurgical grade purity, and valuable by-products from aluminous ores like clay, bauxites and laterites. The process comprises carbo-chlorination of the ore to produce aluminum chloride and other metal chlorides. The aluminum chloride is separated, purified and utilized as such or oxidized to make alumina while the other metal chlorides are processed to recover maximum values.

Abstract: One of the major obstacles toward the needed and economic production of alumina and other values from kaolinitic clay and other ores by chlorination has been the slow reaction rates and low yields of the metal values. The present information provides methods for improving reaction rates and/or yields in the halogenation of various ores which comprises the addition of sulfur and/or functionally equivalent sulfur containing compounds as an ore conditioning agent and/or reaction promoter. These improvements also permit operation at low temperatures with advantage of savings of energy and of equipment and maintenance costs. The invention is applicable to both displacement halogenation and carbo-halogenation processes. The sulfur and/or functionally equivalent sulfur containing compounds can be added to the reaction mass during pre-halogenation steps or to the halogenation step or to combinations of steps ordinarily with additional benefits.

Abstract: Multicourse liner construction for a fluidized bed reaction chamber for the chlorination of alumina bearing material including a reaction-chamber-defining inner course of essentially non-reactive carbon, an outer course of heat insulating refractory material, and an intermediate course of high density and essentially non-reactive material to minimize undesired flow of reactant chlorine externally of said reaction chamber.

Abstract: Recovery of titanium as a titanium tetrachloride from slags produced from ectrosmelting of relatively low content titanium bearing materials such as ilmenites.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for recovering aluminum values from aluminum-containing minerals, such as oxides of aluminum and aluminosilicates.The process involves heating an intimate mixture of an aluminum-containing mineral and a solid carbonizable organic material, preferably a fibrous cellulosic material, so as to carbonize the organic material, and chlorinating the solid residue from the carbonization step. The solid residue contains carbon in very finely divided form distributed throughout the aluminum-containing mineral. The surface area and reactivity of this carbon is much higher than that of powdered coal and the chlorination reaction thus takes place in a most efficient manner.

Abstract: Recovery of high purity aluminum chloride is achieved by use of a series of condensers wherein the first condenser is operated at a high temperature of 80.degree.-110.degree. C to insure minimum condensation of other metal chlorides such as titanium chloride, silicon chloride, or the like, while a second condenser operates at a much lower temperature of from 20.degree.-50.degree. C to trap all impurities while reducing the chloride losses to a minimum. The product of the first condenser may then be used as a feed for the electrolytic reduction of aluminum chloride to metallic aluminum.

Abstract: Removal of iron from aluminous material such as bauxite is effected by treatment with a gas mixture comprising sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide in a first step, followed by chlorination in a second step whereby ferric chloride is produced and removed by volatilization. Aluminium chloride of low iron content may be obtained from the purified aluminous material by chlorination.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed for producing aluminum chloride by contacting aluminum oxide, a reducing agent, and chlorine in a molten bath of aluminum chloride and metal halide to form aluminum chloride which is recovered from the bath by sublimation. The improvement comprises increasing the rate of formation of aluminum chloride by adding a source of metal selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium, copper, europium and cerium to the molten bath.

Abstract: A method for producing aluminum chloride comprises contacting Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 with a reducing agent and chlorine in a bath of molten metal halides to form aluminum chloride and recovering the aluminum chloride by vaporization.

Abstract: Multicourse liner construction for a fluidized bed reaction chamber for the chlorination of alumina bearing material including a reaction-chamber-defining inner course of essentially non-reactive carbon, an outer course of heat insulating refractory material, and an intermediate course of high density and essentially non-reactive material to minimize undesired flow of reactant chlorine externally of said reaction chamber.

Abstract: The instant invention is particularly useful for using low-grade carbonaceous material to form aluminum-trichloride. Aluminous material and the carbonaceous material are comminuted either separately or together, and then the aluminous and carbonaceous materials are either compacted or mixed with a binder to form a doughlike paste. The compacting or mixing with the binder to form the dough-like paste is to insure that the particulate aluminous and carbonaceous materials have extremely close and intimate contact. The mixture is then calcined and chlorinated at an elevated temperature to form aluminum trichloride.

Abstract: Recovery of selectively constituted high purity aluminum chloride from the gaseous effluent of the chlorination of sodium contaminated alumina including the steps of purifying such gaseous effluent to provide essentially contaminant-free aluminum chloride in gaseous form in a gaseous carrier through selectively cooling the hot gaseous effluent to a temperature range well below the chlorination temperature but above the ambient condition condensation temperature of aluminum chloride yet sufficient to condense a selective portion of the condensable constituents therein including substantially all of the sodium aluminum chloride values therein, intermediate the steps of passing such gaseous effluent through filtration media to effect the separation of the condensed sodium aluminum chloride values and entrained solid and liquid particles therefrom and condensing high purity aluminum chloride values from the purified residual gaseous effluent to selectively constituted solid form at controlled temperatures.

Abstract: A process for the production of aluminum chloride from raw materials such as coal slate or bituminous shale is disclosed. The raw material should preferably have an ash content of at least 30% by weight, and with the aluminum content of the ash being at least 20%, calculated as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. The raw material is first calcined and then chlorinated with a gaseous stream containing chlorine and carbon monoxide to form the aluminum chloride product.