Solid-Phase Synthesis of Calcium Carbide in a Plasma Reactor

A laboratory-scale spout-fluid bed reactor with a dc plasma torch was used to study the solid-phase synthesis of calcium carbide. Calcium oxide powder with a mean particle size of 170 m was reacted with graphite powder (130 m). Argon was used to initiate the plasma and hydrogen gas was then added to increase power and raise the plasma jet enthalpy. Experimental results showed that the reaction took place in the vicinity of the plasma jet and that conversion to calcium carbide increased linearly with reaction time. The rate of conversion increased exponentially with plasma jet temperature, indicating that chemical reaction was the controlling mechanism. Microscopic analysis of the solid product showed that calcium carbide was formed around both reactants, and that the reaction followed a shrinking core model. Although melting and agglomeration of partially reacted particles occurred at high temperature, resulting in instability of the bed and impeding the reaction progress, high conversions are expected in a continuous process with optimized reactor design.