CLORIDE METTALURGY
Chloride metallurgy is a specialized branch of extractive metallurgy that involves the use of chlorine or chloride compounds to extract and refine metals. It’s particularly useful for metals that are difficult to process using more conventional methods such as hydrometallurgy or pyrometallurgy. Chloride metallurgy has several distinct advantages, especially in processing complex ores, refractory materials, and in the recycling of metals.
Carbochlorination
Research Areas: Carbochlorination, Hydrochlorination, Hydrochloric acid Leaching and Extraction
- Selective extraction: Chlorine can selectively react with certain metals, allowing for cleaner separations and minimizing waste.
- Energy efficiency: Many metal chlorides are volatile at relatively low temperatures, meaning that less energy is required for their separation.
- Application to complex ores: Chloride metallurgy is effective in treating ores that are refractory or difficult to process with other methods.
Applications
- Titanium and Titanium Dioxide production: Chloride metallurgy is the primary method for producing high-purity titanium metal.
- Rare Earth Metals: Many rare earth elements are processed using chloride-based methods due to their unique chemistry.
- Aluminum, Uranium, and Zirconium: These metals can also be processed using chloride metallurgy techniques.
- Waste recycling, Bauxite, Fly Ash, Red Mud, wastes, Alumina, purifications
- Anhydrous chloride Chemicals, Catalysts
While it is an efficient process, chloride metallurgy often requires careful handling due to the toxicity and corrosive nature of chlorine and its compounds. It is frequently used in combination with other metallurgical methods to enhance the recovery and purification of metals.
Alumina by Chloride
Anhydrous Aluminium Chloride
Purified Titanium Tetrachloride
