Importance

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Abstract

The instant invention relates to a continuous, countercurrent process for reducing an alakli metal fluotitanate salt, e.g. Na.sub.2 TiF.sub.6, comprising +4 valent titanium, to zero valent titanium, in a two-step reduction process, wherein said reduction process is carried out in an adiabatic mode, and which comprises: (a) contacting said alkali metal fluotitanate, as a crystalline salt, with a first molten alloy at a reaction temperature, comprising titanium, aluminum and zinc, to reduce a portion of said +4 valent titanium to +3 valent titanium and at least 60% of the remainder to zero valent titanium and thereby melting and heating said crystalline salt to said reaction temperature, and to form a first molten salt phase comprising +3 valent titanium and an alkali metal aluminum fluoride salts, and a second molten alloy phase comprising titanium and zinc, said second molten alloy phase being immiscible with said first molten salt phase; (b) separating said first molten salt phase from said second molten alloy phase; (c) reducing said +3 valent titanium from said first molten salt phase by contacting said first molten salt phase at said reaction temperature with a third molten alloy phase at a temperature below said reaction temperature, comprising aluminum and zinc, to reduce said +3 valent titanium to zero valent titanium and thereby heating said third molten alloy phase to said reaction temperature, and to form said first molten alloy phase and a second molten salt phase, said first molten alloy phase being immiscible with said second molten salt phase; (d) separating said second molten salt phase from said first molten alloy phase; and (e) recycling said first molten alloy phase to step (a).

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First Claim