Development of a Continuous Process to Produce Ti via Metallothermic Reduction of TiCl₄ in Molten Salt

Abstract:

After evaluating many different routes to produce titanium, the CSIR of South Africa selected a process to produce titanium powder continuously via metallothermic reduction of TiCl₄ in molten salt. The project risks are being managed using the well-known STAGE/GATE method. The first two stages, viz, Route Selection and Preliminary Assessment have been completed and the next stage entailing campaigns extending over several days of uninterrupted operation, producing titanium at a rate of about 2 kg/h has recently begun. The rationale for selecting the process route is briefly reviewed and key process problems that had to be solved before embarking on scale-up and measures to do so are explained. Specific problems are: • Feed line blockages, • Titanium product formation and adherence to reactor internals, • Agglomerate formation; and • Production of very fine particles. Lastly the planned schedule and current status of the project are discussed.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 551)
• Pages: 16-24
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.551.16
• Online since: May 2013
• Authors: D.S. van Vuuren, S.J. Oosthuizen, J.J. Swanepoel
• Keywords: Process Development, TiCl₄, Titanium

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