A nitrogen fixation process using aluminum nitride. A mixture of bauxite and coke is heated in nitrogen at 1,800°C to produce aluminum nitride; this yields ammonia on hydrolysis by boiling with aqueous potassium aluminate: Al2O3 + 3C + N2 + 2A1N + 3CO → 2AlN + 3H2O + 2NH3 + Al2O3. (Check source for accuracy of chemical formula)