ELECTROLYTIC RECOVERY PROCESS AND SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING TITANIUM METAL FROM ITS ORE

摘要

ELECTROLYTIC RECOVERY SYSTEM FOR OBTAINING TITANIUM METAL FROM ITS ORE A process and system, including a single electrolytic/reaction cell, for extraction of titanium sponge from rutile ore. Magnesium chloride is electrolytically separated into magnesium metal and chlorine gas within the cell. The chlorine gas produced is reacted with rutile ore and coke to produce titanium tetrachloride in a separate chlorinator and the product is directed to the cell subsequent to completion of electrolysis. Titanium tetrachloride is reacted with magnesium metal in the same cell where the magnesium is produced to form titanium sponge and magnesium chloride. The titanium sponge is separated within said cell with the magnesium chloride being recovered and recycled. Major impurities are separated by distillation. Plural electrolytic cells can be coupled to a single chlorinator in a continuous process. Very pure titanium sponge is produced with this self-replenishing process.