Electro-Reduction of Ilmenite to FexTi Alloys in Molten CaCl2

This paper reports the preparation of FexTi alloys from natural ilmenite by electro-reduction in molten CaCl2. The electro-reduction experiment was carried out at 1000 °C and potential of 3.8 V, and an inert solid oxide oxygen-ion-conducting membrane (SOM) anode system was used to control the electrochemical experiment. The phase composition and morphology of the final product were investigated. The reaction mechanism involved in the electro-reduction process is discussed based on our experimental results and thermodynamic analysis. It is suggested that FexTi alloys powder with different Fe contents (FexTi, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2) and particle sizes can be obtained by controlling electrolysis conditions strictly. The result implies that the SOM process is a promising green method for the preparation of ferrotitanium alloys direct from natural ilmenite.

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Reaction Routes for the Electro-Deoxidation of Ilmenite in Molten Salt

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.937.58 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 937 ◽

pp. 58-63

Author(s):

Xing Li Zou ◽

Xiong Gang Lu ◽

Wei Xiao ◽

Chang Yuan Lu

Keyword(s):

Molten Salt ◽

Inert Anode ◽

Electrolytic Cell ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Saturated Liquid ◽

Micro Structure ◽

Oxygen Ion ◽

Ti Alloys ◽

Ion Conducting ◽

Reaction Routes

The reaction mechanism of electrochemical extraction of FexTi alloys direct from natural ilmenite in molten CaCl2has been investigated. The electrochemical deoxidation experiment process was carried out at 1000 °C and 3.8 V, and a solid oxide oxygen-ion-conducting membrane (SOM) filled with carbon-saturated liquid metal was served as the inert anode of the electrolytic cell. The macro-/micro-structure variations of the samples during electrolysis were investigated. The reaction routes from natural ilmenite to FexTi alloys are proposed and discussed. It is found that element Fe is reduced firstly from ilmenite and thus serves as electronic conductor to accelerate subsequent deoxidation, FexTi alloys can be produced directly from natural ilmenite by electrolysis in molten salt. It is suggested that FexTi phase can be formed directly from FexTiOycompounds and/or from deoxidation-generated Ti and Fe through various reaction routes.

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Direct Electrolytic Reduction of Solid Cr2O3 to Cr Using SOM Process

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.690-693.78 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 690-693 ◽

pp. 78-81

Author(s):

Chao Yi Chen ◽

Zhi Hui Mao ◽

Jun Qi Li

Keyword(s):

Liquid Copper ◽

Cell Voltage ◽

Graphite Powder ◽

Solid Oxide ◽

Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Particle Sizes ◽

Electrolysis Time ◽

Stabilized Zirconia ◽

Oxygen Ion ◽

Ion Conducting

A novel process of solid-oxide-oxygen-ion conducting membrane (SOM) technique has been investigated to produce Cr metal directly from Cr2O3 in molten CaCl2. The sintered porous Cr2O3 pellet was employed as the cathode while liquid copper, saturated with graphite powder and encased in a one-end-closed yttria-stabilized-zirconia (YSZ) tube, acted as the anode. The particle sizes and porosity of the cathode pellets are important factors that have significant impact on the electrolysis process. The optimal experimental condition is pellet forming pressure 4MPa, sintering and electrolytic temperature 1150°C, cell voltage 3.5V, electrolysis time 2h.

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