The Kroll Process of Refining Titanium

Titanium is a lightweight metal with a high tensile strength relative to its density. Titanium is chemically inert, making it useful for medical applications such as surgical tools and implants. Titanium occurs most commonly in nature as Rutile and Ilmenite, two titanium bearing minerals. Titanium is refined through the Kroll Process. First, the titanium is charged and turned into a metallic sponge. Chlorine gas is introduced to the sponge, forming titanium tetrachloride. The titanium tetrachloride exists as a liquid sludge, which is purified through the process of fractional distillation. When pure, the titanium tetrachloride is reacted with magnesium, which results in metallic titanium. (2Mg(l) + TiCl₄(g) → 2MgCl₂(l) + Ti(s)).

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Posted by Matt Matteri