Method of producing metals and alloys by carbothermal reduction of metal oxides

摘要

A method of producing a silicon, the method comprising heating raw materials comprising at least one silicon dioxide, and agglomerates comprising a carbonaceous reducing agent and a cured binder to effect reduction of the silicon dioxide to the silicon, wherein each agglomerate has at least one molded open channel, and an apparent density not greater than 99% of the apparent density of an identical agglomerate except without the channel, and wherein the silicon dioxide is an isolated compound and the silicon is metallurgical grade silicon or solar grade silicon.