Producing titanium by reducing TiCl₂-MgCl₂ mixed salt with magnesium in the molten state

In the Kroll process for titanium sponge metal production, TiCl₄ gas is introduced and reacted with molten magnesium metal via a gas-liquid reduction reaction. The magnesium reduction reaction of the mixed salt of TiCl₂-MgCl₂ via a liquid-liquid reaction has been investigated and the results are reported in this article. First, the molten mixed salt was synthesized through chlorination reaction of solid titanium sponge placed in molten MgCl₂ salt, while TiCl₄ gas was bubbled at around 1,173K. Then, the TiCl₂-MgCl₂ was reacted with molten magnesium at similar temperatures. This proposed magnesium reduction reaction of the TiCl₂-MgCl₂ in the molten state may be more efficient easier to control, and suitable for realizing continuous titanium production.