GB740849A - An electrolytic method for the production of titanium metal - Google Patents

Abstract

740,849. Electrolytic production of titanium metal. HORIZONS TITANIUM CORPORATION. July 30, 1953 [Oct. 8, 1952], No. 21180/53. Class 41. A method of producing titanium metal by electrolysis of titanium monoxide in a fused salt diluent bath composed essentially of at least one alkali metal halide other than alkali metal fluoride, comprises adding to the bath prior to the electrolysis 2 to 30 per cent of an alkali metal fluotitanate by weight of the bath. The alkali metal halide may be sodium or potassium chloride or mixtures of these salts, and the fluotitanate may be sodium or potassium fluotitanate, or mixtures thereof. The fluotitanate may be formed in the bath by adding a stoichiometric amount of sodium or potassium fluoride and then introducing titanium tetrafluoride. The electrolysis, which should be carried out in an inert atmosphere, may take place in a cell comprising a graphite crucible as anode and a centrally disposed iron cathode. As carbon monoxide is formed at the anode by reaction with the carbon anode, and such carbon monoxide may form titanium carbide with deposited titanium, a cell may be used which is divided by a partition into an anode compartment having a graphite anode, and a cathode compartment having an iron cathode, titanium monoxide being introduced into the anode compartment and confined there until dissolved. Another cell used comprises a graphite crucible, as anode, having an inner false wall made of graphite bored with small holes. Titanium monoxide is introduced into the bath in the annular space between the crucible wall and the inner false wall. The cathode is located in the centre of the crucible. A further apparatus employs a porous hollow graphite anode, into which titanium monoxide is fed. Specifications 701,288, 711,077 and 735,597, [both in Croup III], are referred to.