Titanium Ore Quality via Oxidation and Selective Chlorination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The selective chlorinating method for titanium-containing raw materials leads to titanium oxide loss and inefficiencies due to the easy chlorination of titanium suboxides and the need for external heat to maintain reaction temperature, resulting in increased costs and reduced titanium ore quality.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves oxidizing titanium-containing raw materials before selective chlorinating to convert titanium suboxides to titanium oxide and iron suboxides to iron oxide, utilizing the reaction heat generated for preliminary heating and recycling chlorine gas, thereby minimizing titanium oxide loss and enhancing the efficiency of the chlorinating reaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If selective chlorinating method is used to remove iron impurities from titanium-containing raw material, then iron removal efficiency is improved, but titanium oxide loss increases due to simultaneous chlorination of titanium suboxide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation treatment to convert titanium suboxide (Ti3O5) to titanium oxide (TiO2) before the selective chlorinating step. This preliminary action prevents titanium suboxide from being chlorinated during the iron removal process, thereby eliminating titanium oxide loss while maintaining high iron removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxidation state parameter of titanium compounds by performing oxidation treatment. By converting titanium suboxide (lower oxidation state) to titanium oxide (higher oxidation state), the material becomes resistant to chlorination, thus preventing titanium loss during the subsequent chlorinating step.
2Productivity
If preliminary reduction treatment is performed to increase divalent iron ratio for better selective chlorination, then iron separation efficiency is improved, but titanium suboxide is generated which leads to titanium loss
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of performing reduction treatment as conventionally done, the patent inverts the approach by performing oxidation treatment. This reversal converts titanium suboxide to titanium oxide, preventing titanium loss while still achieving efficient iron separation through the subsequent chlorinating process.
3Device complexity
If selective chlorinating reaction is performed without external heat supply, then process simplicity is improved, but reaction temperature decreases and reaction rate cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system self-sufficient by using the exothermic oxidation reaction to generate the heat needed for the endothermic chlorinating reaction. The oxidation step provides its own heat, eliminating the need for external heat supply systems while maintaining the required reaction temperature and rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the oxidation and chlorinating steps into an integrated process where the heat from the oxidation reaction is directly utilized for the chlorinating reaction. This merging of steps eliminates the need for separate heating systems and maintains reaction temperature without external heat supply.
4Loss of substance
If chlorine gas is reacted with titanium-containing raw material to selectively chlorinate iron, then iron removal is achieved, but chlorine gas is consumed by titanium suboxide chlorination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary oxidation to convert titanium suboxide to titanium oxide before chlorination. This preliminary action protects titanium from consuming chlorine gas during the iron removal process, thereby reducing chlorine gas loss while maintaining efficient iron removal.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces titanium oxide loss during selective chlorinating, promotes efficient chlorination of titanium ore, and allows for the recycling of chlorine gas, leading to improved titanium ore quality and reduced production costs.
Implementation Method 1
oxidizing the titanium-containing raw material before the selective chlorinating of titanium ore
Implementation Method 2
selective chlorinating step of only the impurities in the titanium-containing raw material
Implementation Method 3
since the selective chlorinating reaction of titanium ore is an endothermic reaction
Implementation Method 4
oxidizing the titanium-containing raw material before the selective chlorinating
Data Source
AI summary
A technique is provided, in which impure metal is efficiently separated and removed from titanium-containing raw material such as titanium slag or ilmenite and high titanium-containing raw material is produced. The method for improving quality of titanium-containing raw material containing slag, including steps of: oxidizing the titanium-containing raw material, selectively chlorinating impurities in the titanium-containing raw material, and separating and removing the impure chlorides to obtain high titanium-containing raw material. Alternatively, in this method, the oxidizing treatment and the selective chlorinating treatment are performed simultaneously.