Solid-state reduction of chromium oxide by methane-containing gas

Reduction of chromium oxide, Cr2O3, was investigated in a fixed bed laboratory reactor in the temperature range 900 degreesC to 1200 degreesC using CH4-H-2-Ar gas mixture. The extent and rate of reduction as functions of gas composition and temperature were determined by on-line off-gas analysis using a mass spectrometer. Samples at different stages of reduction were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The chromium oxide was reduced to chromium carbide Cr3C2 with a degree of reduction close to 100 pct. The rate of reduction increased with temperature and methane content in the reducing gas. Carbon monoxide, added to the reducing gas, strongly retarded the rate of Cr2O3 reduction. The hydrogen content had a slight effect on the reduction rate. High extent and rate of reduction by methane-containing gas in comparison with carbothermal reduction were attributed to high carbon activity in the reducing gas-15 to 50 (relative to graphite).