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http://dx.doi.org/10.3365/KJMM.2012.50.10.745

Effect of TiCl4 Feeding Rate on the Formation of Titanium Sponge in the Kroll Process  

Lee, Jae Chan (Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Kyungpook National University)
Sohn, Ho Sang (Department of Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, Kyungpook National University)
Jung, Jae Young (Research Institute of Industrial Science & Technology(RIST))
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Metals and Materials / v.50, no.10, 2012 , pp. 745-751 More about this Journal
Abstract
The Kroll process for magnesium reduction of titanium tetrachloride is used for mass production of titanium sponge. The present study was conducted in a lab scale reactor to develop a better understanding of the mechanism of titanium sponge formation in the Kroll reactor with respect to reaction degrees and the feeding rate of $TiCl_4$. The $MgCl_2$ produced during the initial stage of the reaction was not sunk into the molten magnesium, but covered the surface of the molten magnesium. As a result, subsequently fed $TiCl_4$ reacted with Mg exposed on the edge of molten $MgCl_2$ in the crucible. Therefore, titanium sponge grew toward the center of the crucible from the edge. The temperature of the molten magnesium increased remarkably with the increasing feeding rate of $TiCl_4$. Consequently, fed $TiCl_4$ reacted at the upper side of the crucible with evaporated Mg, and produced titanium on the upper surface of the crucible wall, which increased considerably with the feeding rate of $TiCl_4$.
Keywords
Kroll process; $TiCl_4$; titanium sponge; magnesium; reduction;
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