The United States of America As Represented by the Secretary of

Ishwarlal D Shah

Peter L Ruzzi

Robert B Schluter

AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2 O is decomposed at a temperature above about 700.degree. C. in the presence of hydrogen to form an alumina product having a very low residual chlorine content.

Decomposition of AlCl.sub.3.6H.sub.2 O in H.sub.2 atmosphere

Cupric oxide is heat-decomposed in the presence of an oxygen scavenger, such as solid carbon, to produce high quality cuprous oxide suitable for use as a pigment.

Decomposition of cupric oxide using a reducing scavenger

Sulfide ores are reduced directly to metallic values such as nickel, copper and iron, by use of a scavenger such as calcium oxide to combine with the sulfur and prevent sulfurous gas from escaping into the atmosphere. The separate metals, copper, nickel and iron can then be recovered as by leaching.

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Ishwarlal D Shah