New Development on the Production of Ti in Crystalline Form by Reactions between TiCl₄ and Mg Vapors

Abstract

Experiments on the production of Ti by the reaction between TiCl₄ and Mg vapors were carried out by using a large sized reaction furnace which consisted of a reaction chamber, a condensing tank for the condensation of the by-product MgCl₂ and excess Mg, and feeder tanks of TiCl₄ and Mg. The reaction chamber consists of a cylinder of 18-8 stainles steel, 30 cm in diameeter and 195 cm in length. Inside the reaction chamber were placed ribbons of Ti stretched net-wise in a mild steel frame. Vapors of TiCl₄ and Mg evaporated in their respective boilers were injected into the reaction chamber through jet nozzles at its top. The reaction mainly occurred on the surfaces of titanium ribbons very effectively and Ti was deposited on these surfaces and grew in crystalline lumps, while MgCl₂ vapor or excess Mg vapor was rapidly condensed in the waste tank. It was found that this method of producing Ti by the gaseous reaction was of a high efficiency in yields of TiCl₄ and Mg, in being accomplished in a single process, in requiring relatively a short reaction period and in producing large lumps of crystal Ti of a high purity free from MgCl₂ or Mg.
By reconstructing the lower part of the equipment the operation could be made continuous without cooling the reaction chamber and breaking its vacuum.