Replace Kroll Process: Extracting Titanium Dioxide from Rutile

[christian everett]

I was interested in whether titanium dioxide might be extracted from the silicon dioxide and iron oxide present in rutile by the use of hydrogen fluoride.

The silicon tetrafluoride that is formed would be removed as a gas. Then the titanium tetrafluoride would be vaporized at 277.5 °F separating it from the iron trifluoride which is infusible.

I have a document describing the reduction of titanium tetrafluoride with hydrogen in the gas phase at 450°C to produce titanium metal and hydrogen fluoride, which is recycled to the first step or electrolyzed to titanium metal.

 

[trurle]

Hydrogen fluoride as the main waste product of the metallurgical process may be unacceptable. It is grade 4 hazard after all.