A recyclable method for titanium extraction and oxygen evolution from Ti−bearing slags

Zhenghao Pu; Wei Wang; Zhe Wang; Mingyin Kou; Yiwa Luo; Jianbang Ge; Xin Tao; Mingyong Wang; Shuqiang Jiao

Fundamental Research (Jan 2024)

A recyclable method for titanium extraction and oxygen evolution from Ti−bearing slags

Zhenghao Pu,
Wei Wang,
Zhe Wang,
Mingyin Kou,
Yiwa Luo,
Jianbang Ge,
Xin Tao,
Mingyong Wang,
Shuqiang Jiao

Affiliations

Zhenghao Pu: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Wei Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Corresponding authors.
Zhe Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Mingyin Kou: School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Yiwa Luo: School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China
Jianbang Ge: School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Xin Tao: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Mingyong Wang: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China; Corresponding authors.
Shuqiang Jiao: State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai 519080, China; Corresponding authors.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 4, no. 1
pp. 86 – 94

Abstract

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Despite its existence for more than 80 years, the titanium industry is still challenged by massive carbon emissions, high production costs, and large resource waste. More than one hundred million tons of Ti−bearing blast furnace slag (TB−slag) has been discarded in China because of the difficulty of reutilization, which requires efficient titanium extraction and recovery technologies. This paper describes a low−cost, carbon−emission−free method for Ti extraction and oxygen evolution via molten oxide electrolysis (MOE) vacuum distillation. After a comprehensive analysis of the binding energies and activities of liquid metals, the highlights of our study are as follows. 1) Sb has the best preferential deposition of Ti among a series of high−Ti−affinitive liquid metal cathodes (Cu, Ni, Pb, Sn, and Sb). 2) The Ir anode was first used in TB−slag with IrO2 formed on its surface to protect it from further corrosion. 3) An alloy containing Ti and Ca can be obtained by MOE, and Ti and Ca metals can be refined by further vacuum distillation. 4) A closed loop is formed in the overall process owing to the recyclable Sb cathode and continuous feeding of TB−slag into the electrolyte. This simple, low−cost, and environmentally friendly method can realize the efficient utilization of Ti resources and achieve carbon neutrality.

Published in Fundamental Research

ISSN: 2667-3258 (Online)
Publisher: KeAi Communications Co. Ltd.
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General)
Website: https://www.keaipublishing.com/en/journals/fundamental-research/

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