An alternative, environmentally friendly production process for refractory metal carbides and syngas using methane reduction of the oxide ores

A potential, environmentally friendly production process for refractory metal carbides is investigated whereby methane is used as the reducing agent for many oxides. Using the most recently available thermodynamic data, the optimum conditions for production of binary and ternary carbides, together with hydrogen-rich gases, have been calculated. Our thermodynamic analysis indicates that methane reduction of the oxides is both economic and helpful in reducing carbon emissions. The investigations show that hot syngas from one reactor may be re-used as input to other reactors to minimize the use of energy in carbide production.