titanium from its ore

Question 1

What is the main titanium ore and what does it contain

Answer 1

The main titanium ore is rutile, which contains titanium (IV) dioxide, TiO 2 .

Question 2

What process is used to extract titanium

Answer 2

Most titanium is extracted using the Kroll process.

Question 3

What are the 2 steps of kroll’s process to extract titanium.

Answer 3

First step is titanium(IV) dioxide, coke (a form of carbon) and chlorine are heated together at about 900°C, to form titanium (IV) chloride

Lastly magnesium is used as a reducing agent to form titanium

Question 4

Why does the air need to be switched out with argon gas for the reduction of titanium(IV) chloride to titanium

Answer 4

Because oxygen can make titanium brittle because oxygen contaminants

oxygen reacts with titanium and argon does not

titanium is not oxidised using argon gas

Question 5

What is the equation for titanium, coke (a form of carbon) and chlorine to form titanium (IV) chloride

Answer 5

TiO2 (s) + 2C (s) + 2Cl2 (g) → TiCl4 (g) + 2CO (g)

Question 6

What is the equation for titanium (IV) chloride and magnesium to form titanium

Answer 6

TiCl4 (g) + 2Mg (l) → Ti(s) + 2MgCl2 (l)

Question 7

Why cant electrolysis be used when extracting titanium

Answer 7

Because the titanium formed often has ‘tree-like’ crystals, which can affect the electrodes.

Also, side-reactions with titanium ions at both electrodes can lead to impurities.

Question 8

Is the extraction of titanium expensive if so why

Answer 8

it is expensive because large amounts of energy is needed to create the high temperatures

Question 9

is the process of extracting titanium time consuming if so why

Answer 9

The process is time consuming because its a batch process. This means the reactor has to be shut down and cooled before the titanium can be removed for purification.

Question 10

How are the titanium impurities removed

Answer 10

The impurities are removed by further heating