Thermodynamic analysis of reduction reactions of magnesium, calcium and cerium oxides with silicon and aluminium

Thermodynamic analysis of magnesium, calcium and cerium oxide reduction by silicon and aluminium is carried out. It is shown that conditions of silicothermal reduction of calcium and cerium oxides are more favourable than those of magnesium oxide. Temperature dependences of the Gibbs energy variations in the reduction reactions in the temperature range of 1800-2000 K are given. The results of thermodynamic calculations permitted to outline rational scheme of metal oxide reduction during master alloy melting