METHOD FOR REDUCING CHLORIDE OF ZIRCONIUM, HAFNIUM OR TITANIUM TO METAL

摘要

This is a method for reduction of chlorides of zirconium, hafnium or titanium, and provides a practical method of removing the product metal from the reduction vessel. A seal metal layer is used at the bottom of the vessel. The upper portion of the seal metal layer is liquid and the lower portion is solid. Product metal settles into the liquid portion. Product metal in a matrix of solid seal metal is withdrawn from the bottom of the vessel. Seal metal is predominantly either zinc or tin. Either pure zinc or tin or zinc or tin alloyed with product metal can be recycled to the bottom of the reduction vessel.