The Production Development and Technology Status of Sponge Titanium in China

The research on the manufacturing technology of sponge titanium was initiated in 1954 in China and the first pilot plant was set up in 1958. Since then the productions have been gradually scaled up. Until now, a number of commercial production factories with capacity of over lOkt/a have been established, and a total production capacity has exceeded 100kt/a with a total output of about 50kt. All factories adopt kroll metod. The processes in leader factories include the fluidized-bed chlorination of titanium-rich materials(high-titania slag or natural rutile), purification of tetrachloride titanium, magnesium reduction and vacuum distillation, and electrolysis of magnesium chloride to recycle chlorine and magnesium. The main process equipments realized commercial production, and computer control technology has been applied in full processes in some factories. The product quality as well as econo-technical indicatols have gradually approached or achieved the world advanced level. The main problem for sponge titanium industry in China now is the serious overcapacity; some factories with incomplete processes or outdated technology are still in production, leading to low automatic operation level; low productivity; poor products quality, and even serious pollution. With the development of technologies and the market competition, these outdated facilities will gradually be eliminated, supply and demand will reach a new balance, and a healthy and sustainable development of sponge titanium industry in China will be realized.