Chemical Engineering Basics - Engineering

Q1:

Titanium is produced by __________ of Ti Cl4.

A electrolytic reduction

B calcium reduction

C magnesium reduction

D thermal dissociation

ANS:C - magnesium reduction

Titanium is produced by magnesium reduction of TiCl4 (titanium tetrachloride). Explanation:

  • Titanium production from titanium tetrachloride involves the use of a reducing agent to extract titanium metal from its compound.
  • In the Kroll process, which is the most common method for producing titanium, titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) is reacted with a reducing agent, typically magnesium, to form titanium metal and magnesium chloride (MgCl2).
  • The overall reaction can be represented as follows: TiCl4 + 2Mg → Ti + 2MgCl2
  • In this reaction, magnesium acts as the reducing agent, while titanium tetrachloride is reduced to titanium metal.
  • The process typically occurs in a reactor at high temperatures under an inert atmosphere, such as argon or helium, to prevent oxidation of the titanium.
  • After the reaction, the titanium metal is separated from the magnesium chloride byproduct and further processed into the desired forms, such as ingots, sheets, or powder.
Therefore, titanium is produced by magnesium reduction of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4).