| 摘要 |
682,919. Electrolytic production of titanium TITAN CO., Inc. March 7, 1951 [March 20 1950], No. 5566/51. Class 41. A process for the production of titanium comprises electrolysing a chloride salt of titanium in which the titanium has a valence of less than 4, in a cell which is divided by a porous diaphragm into cathode and anode compartments and which contains a molten salt electrolyte at an elevated temperature, the titanium chloride being in solution in the portion of the electrolyte within the cathode compartment. The chloride may be titanium dichloride, titanium trichloride, or a mixture thereof. The electrolyte consists of a halide of one of the alkali-metal and alkaline earth metals, including magnesium, and mixtures thereof. It may comprise a mixture of about 27 per cent sodium chloride and the remainder strontium chloride. The apparatus shown comprises a furnace 10 with gas burners 11 for heating a cell 12 made from fused impervious silica and preferably protected by a stainless steel sheath 13. The cell is divided by a porous diaphragm 17 into two compartments one containing anodes 16 of graphite, and the other containing a cathode made from an elongated plate 15 of a noble metal such as tantalum. An inert gas such as argon or helium may be supplied to the cathode compartment through a pipe 19 to protect the surface of the electrolyte. The anode compartment may be provided with pipes 21 to carry off chlorine released at the anodes. The diaphragm 17 may be of fused alumina. The titanium dichloride and/or trichloride may be mixed with the electrolyte in the cathode compartment. On electrolysis titanium is deposited on the cathode 15. Alternatively the tantalum cathode plate 15 may be replaced by a tube lined with silica and titanium tetrachloride gas supplied downwardly through the tube, the tetrachloride being reduced by electrolysis, preferably to the dichloride. Afterwards the tubular cathode is replaced by the cathode plate 15 and the metal is deposited electrolytically on the plate. The titanium is cooled out of contact with the atmosphere and is then leached, preferably in a weak solution of hydrochloric acid, which can also be used to strip the metal from the cathode. |
