Method and reactor for production of aluminum by carbothermic reduction of alumina

The present invention relates to a process for the production of aluminum by carbothermic reduction of alumina and to a reactor for the production of aluminum by carbothermic reduction of alumina. A hollow partition wall is employed to feed carbon material to an underflow of a carbothermic reduction furnace used to make aluminum. The partition wall divides a low temperature reaction zone where aluminum oxide is reacted with carbon to form aluminum carbide and a high temperature reaction zone where the aluminum carbide and remaining aluminum oxide are reacted to form aluminum and carbon monoxide.