Fundamental Reactor Design Considerations for Reducing TiCl4 Metallothermically to Produce Ti Powder

Abstract

Continuous metallothermic reduction of TiCl4in a molten salt medium is affected by the low solubility of TiCl4in appropriate molten salts, the solubilities of suitable reducing metals in the salts and the vapour pressures of the different chemicals in the system. The purpose of the study is to compare quantitatively how the physical properties of the different suitable reducing agents will affect the development and design of a process to continuously produce titanium powder from TiCl4in molten salt. In the study Li, Na, Mg and Ca are compared with respect to the mass transfer rate requirements of TiCl4 absorption and metal dissolution.