Technology of magnesium thermal production of sponge zirconium from zirconium dioxide

According to the most conservative estimates, by the middle of the 21st century, energy consumption on the planet will double. This will be a consequence of the development of the global economy, population growth and other geopolitical and economic factors.

Therefore, nuclear energy currently occupies a leading position in the world and is not going to give it up yet.

The growth of energy capacity will lead to an increase in the need for nuclear fuel and its components.

Zirconium alloys are the main material for the cladding of fuel elements of nuclear power reactors. The use of zirconium for this purpose is primarily due to the main physical characteristic of the structural material of the active zones – a low neutron capture coefficient.

APPLICATION

• Nuclear power engineering (manufacture of fuel elements)
• Pyrotechnics
• Manufacture of alloys
• Manufacture of superconductors
• Electrovacuum technology
• Manufacture of insulators in high-frequency equipment
• Ceramics
• Enamels
• Refractors
• Medicine

 PROJECTS

JSC ” Titanium Institute” has developed a modern, highly efficient technology for producing sponge zirconium from zirconium dioxide by chlorination and magnesium-thermal reduction of the resulting zirconium tetrachloride.

The basic process flow chart for magnesium-thermal production of sponge zirconium includes the following process operations:

– salt chlorination of zirconium dioxide;

– purification of the resulting zirconium tetrachloride;

– vacuum separation of the zirconium-containing reaction mass;

– preparation of magnesium-reducing agent;

– processing of sponge zirconium blocks into commercial products.

A pilot plant for producing sponge zirconium was designed and recommendations for the design of the pilot equipment were developed.

Experimental batches of sponge zirconium were produced at pilot plants, which, based on the content of the main impurities and physical and chemical properties, can be used as a basis for the production of Zr1Nb alloy for nuclear power engineering.

TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES