Direct reduction processes for titanium oxide in molten salt

This study investigates the direct reduction processes for titanium oxide using molten salt electrolysis, specifically employing CaCl2 as an alternative to the traditional Kroll process. The objective is to produce pure titanium (Ti) and its alloys directly from TiO2 and a mixture of elemental oxides, addressing current inefficiencies associated with existing titanium production methods. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of both thermochemical and electrochemical foundations to optimize the process conditions. Significant results indicate that high-quality titanium with minimal residual oxygen can be produced and scaled to industrial levels, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach. Additionally, ongoing research explores various molten salt processes to enhance future titanium processing. This highlights the importance of finding efficient alternatives to the Kroll process, particularly as the demand for titanium increases and the need for lower-cost production methods becomes essential.