| Title |
Behavior of Zirconium Sponge Formation in the Kroll Process |
| Authors |
장용익(Yong Ik Jang); 손호상(Ho Sang Sohn); 정재영(Jae Young Jung) |
| DOI |
https://doi.org/10.3365/KJMM.2014.52.4.255 |
| ISSN |
1738-8228(ISSN), 2288-8241(eISSN) |
| Keywords |
Kroll process; ZrCl4; zirconium sponge; magnesium; reduction |
| Abstract |
The Kroll process of magnesium reduction of titanium tetrachloride is used for mass production of zirconium sponges. This study is conducted in a laboratory-scale reactor in order to develop a better understanding of the zirconium sponge formation mechanism in the Kroll reactor with respect to the reaction degrees and reaction time. The MgCl2 produced during the initial stage of the reaction does not sink into the molten magnesium, but remains on the surface of the molten magnesium. As a result, ZrCl4 feed reacts with the Mg exposed on the edge of the molten MgCl2 in the crucible. Therefore, the Zr particles produced at the later reaction stage descend into the molten magnesium at the crucible wall. |