The new concept for electrowinning process of liquid titanium metal in molten salt

Direct electrowinning of liquid titanium metal has been investigated by using a DC-ESR (Direct Current Electro Slag Remelting) apparatus. A small scale DC-ESR unit was operated in a DC reverse polarity mode, where a graphite rod tvas used as anode and a steel or a copper base-plate was used as cathode. The used salt was CaO-CaF2-TiO2 mixture. The distance between the cathode and the anode was essential to the electrolysis. A metal pool was formed on the base-plate and the current efficiency for the reduction was up to 18 % with the proper distance between the electrodes. Some amount of titanium was electrodeposited on the base-plate though its state changed with the electrolytic condition. Pure titanium metal pieces were obtained in the solidified salt after the run with the bigger distance. It is concluded that the electrowinning of liquid titanium metal by the present process is possible if sufficient heat to form a metal pool can be supplied at the bigger distance between the electrodes.