Electrolytic recovery system for obtaining titanium metal from its ore

In an apparatus for producing titanium metal in sponge form by the electrolytic production of magnesium metal from magnesium chloride and the immediately subsequent reduction of titanium tetrachloride from a source thereof with the electrolytically formed magnesium, the chlorine gas formed as a by-product of the electrolysis being used to chlorinate a mixture of titanium ore and coke to form titanium tetrachloride used for the reduction reaction, the apparatus comprising a single vessel for conducting both the electrolysis and the reduction reaction isolated from exposure to air until the titanium metal sponge formed therein is cooled to a temperature below the reaction temperature of titanium with air, means coupled to said single vessel for feeding titanium tetrachloride thereto from the exterior thereof, container means within said single vessel for holding a molten charge of magnesium chloride, said container means having a perforate floor, anode and cathode electrode means arranged within said single vessel for effecting the electrolysis of said magnesium chloride, means terminating the electrolysis when a predetermined quantity of magnesium metal is formed as a floating liquid body on the molten magnesium chloride in the container of the single vessel, one of said anode and cathode electrode means capable of being removed sealably from said vessel interior upon completion of said electrolysis, said feed means removably coupled sealably to said vessel for directing titanium tetrachloride to said single vessel only subsequent to completion of said electrolysis to enable reaction thereof with said floating body of magnesium metal, said single vessel being formed of a pair of sealably coupled superposed coaxially arranged vessel section capable of being separated for gaining access to the titanium metal produced subsequent to cooling thereof and means for lifting said container means from the lower section to at least the vicinity of said upper section when the reduction reaction is completed.

Apparatus for producing titanium metal in sponge form by consecutive electrolytic disassociation of magnesium chloride and reduction of titanium tetrachloride by the magnesium metal produced electrolytically comprising a closed system including a single combined electrolytic/reaction vessel, said vessel formed of a pair of superposed upper and lower communicating sections, an open-topped container seated within said vessel in the lower section thereof, cap means seated atop said vessel and having means for accomodating a first electrode therethrough to extend within said open-topped container, a second electrode within said vessel, a source of electrical energy and means coupling said first and second electrodes thereto, chlorinator reactor means for producing titanium tetrachloride being coupled to said vessel and capable of reacting chlorine with a mixture of titanium ore and coke to produce titanium tetrachloride, means for collecting and directing the chlorine gas produced during electrolysis in said vessel to said chlorinator reactor means for reaction with the mixture of titanium ore and coke, means for feeding said titanium ore/coke mixture also to said chlorinator reactor means, means for feeding titanium tetrachloride produced by said chlorinator reactor means to said container by way of said cap means, means for stopping the electrolysis after a predetermined quantity of magnesium metal is formed and enabling the magnesium metal produced to float as a liquid body on the magnesium chloride in the container, means operatively coupled to said container for raising and lowering same between said sections of said vessel, and means for separating the sections of said vessel for removing the container upon completion of the reduction process and cooling of contents thereof, the container being disposed within the lower section during the electrolysis and reduction process and being disposed within the upper section subsequent to completion of reduction for drainage and cooling.