Need to exploit Indian ilmenite for commercial production of titanium sponge by carbo-chlorination process

Abstract

Titanium being a strategic metal finds wide application in aerospace and defence. Its alloys are used in the form of sheets and tubes for cryogenic and marine applications. India's titanium bearing heavy mineral sands constitute one of the largest resources in the world. Currently there is no commercial production of titanium sponge in the country and its entire requirement is met by imports. The proposed carbo-chlorination process comprises of (i) smelting of ilmenite to produce high titania slag through DC arc smelting in the first stage and (ii) chlorination of titania slag to titanium tetrachloride followed by its reduction to produce titanium sponge in the second stage. The need of the hour is to exploit large reserves of Indian ilmenite for producing titanium sponge on commercial scale.