A modern improved technology for obtaining titanium sponge by the magneto-thermic method in recovery units with a 7.5-ton cyclic removal with an upper condenser and a lower drain of magnesium chloride is proposed.

The technology is completely ready for implementation. The technological process for obtaining titanium sponge is carried out by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium as a reducing agent, followed by high-temperature vacuum treatment of titanium sponge blocks to remove residual magnesium chloride and excess metallic magnesium.

Titanium tetrachloride is reduced in an argon environment in sealed units with an upper condenser of titanium sponge and a lower drain of magnesium chloride, which is transferred to the electrolysis stage. Vacuum separation is carried out in units with an upper condenser.

The proposed units are unified in such a way that the reactor and condenser are standard and interchangeable.

The reduction and vacuum separation processes are controlled automatically using an automated process control system.

APPLICATION

• Titanium alloy production
• Titanium powder production
• Aircraft engineering
• Rocket engineering
• Shipbuilding
• Chemical industry
• Cryogenic engineering
• Electroplating
• Oil and gas industry
• Food industry
• Medicine
• Sports equipment
• Jewelry production

ADVANTAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGY AND GUARANTEED INDICATORS

• The technology for obtaining titanium sponge ensures the achievement of guaranteed indicators: Cycle productivity of the recovery apparatus – 7.5 tons.
• Specific energy consumption of the process for the stages of recovery, vacuum separation and processing of titanium sponge blocks, no more than – 6500 kW•h.
• The yield of the highest grades of titanium sponge (TG-90, TG-100, TG-110) – not less than 80%.
• The quality of the obtained titanium sponge according to the Ukrainian standard DSTU 3079-95 (GOST 17746-96).
• The quality of titanium sponge according to this standard meets the quality requirements of titanium of the world’s leading manufacturers of titanium sponge in Japan, the USA and China (JIS H 2151, ASTM B 299, GB/T 2524-2010).
• The advantages of the recovery apparatus with an upper condenser and a lower drain of magnesium chloride, in contrast to the apparatus with a side condenser, are the absence of a complex system of heated steam pipeline and an effective system of draining magnesium chloride, allowing draining magnesium chloride without stopping the process.

PROJECTS

Over 10 completed projects for the full range of titanium sponge production in various countries around the world, including those commissioned by the following companies: CYMGHT, PRC, Panzhihua Iron & Steel (Group) Company, PRC, YUNNАN METALLURGICAL GROUP, PRC, Pangang Group International Economic & Trading Co., Ltd, PRC, UKTMK JSC, Kazakhstan, Na Trans Egypt, Republic of Egypt, IRENA GROUP INVESTOR SP ZOO, Poland.