Аннотации:
The results of our experiments on the carbon reduction of metals from iron-containing rich and lean monometallic ores and complex ores in which iron is present along with other metal oxides in a common crystal lattice are analyzed. It is concluded that reduction should be considered as an electrochemical process consisting in the supply of electrons to the cations to be reduced. The source of electrons in the experiments is a chemical reaction on the surface of interaction between a reducer and oxides. Electron transport deep into ore lumps is performed by anion vacancies. Vacancies draw cations with a high electron affinity and neutral atoms, which ensures selective metal reduction. A continuous metallic shell does not form on the surface of lean and complex ores, and oxide layers, along which vacancies move into an ore lump, are retained. As a result, the entire ore lump undergoes reduction. Therefore, lean and complex ores can easily be reduced as compared to rich ores. © 2013 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.