METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF SPONGY TITANIUM AND DEVICE FOR METHOD EMBODIMENT Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: nonferrous metallurgy, mainly, production of titanium by metallic reduction of titanium tetrachloride. SUBSTANCE: method includes heating of apparatus, supply of argon to apparatus and building-up of excessive pressure in apparatus, withdrawal of argon, pouring of magnesium from vacuum ladle, supply of titanium tetrachloride and conduction of reduction process with periodic discharge of magnesium chloride. Pouring of magnesium is carried under hermetically sealed conditions and maintaining same excessive pressure in apparatus and in vacuum ladle. In this case, argon withdrawn from apparatus is directed to vacuum ladle. Device for method embodiment includes reduction apparatus consisting of retort with discharge device, sealed cover carrying branch pipes for supply of titanium tetrachloride, argon, and branch pipe for magnesium supply, compensating device, vacuum ladle provided with pipe union for supply of argon, discharge pipe and installed on compensating device. The latter is made in form of bellows and spring accommodating coaxial pipe passing through bellows and installed from below into branch pipe for magnesium supply. Secured rigidly to said pipe is flange resting on spring. Pipe upper part is made in form of cone accommodating pipe of vacuum ladle. Branch pipe for argon supply to apparatus is connected with pipe union for argon supply to vacuum ladle. EFFECT: higher efficiency of process and improved quality of spongy titanium. 7 cl, 2 dwg, 1 ex