Process for the production of oxides of titanium, thorium or rare metals of the fourth group

摘要

339,608. Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., and Clark, F. L. Sept. 7, 1929. Dioxides of titanium, zirconium hafrium, and thorium, obtaining; titanates and like salts, obtaining.-An alkaline solution or suspension of raw material containing a compound of the metal is electrolyzed to deposit impurities such as iron in the metallic state. In an example an alkaline suspension of ilmenite is electrolyzed under 20 atmospheres pressure of hydrogen at a temperature of 90‹-120‹ C. using an insoluble anode of carbon, nickel or chromium steel. Iron is deposited and titanium dioxide remains as a sludge. The electrolysis may alternatively be performed in air at high pressure. In another example ilmenite is strongly heated with solid caustic soda or sodium carbonate and the mixture suspended in a 40 per cent solution of caustic soda and electrolyzed. The sludge consisting of sodium titanate is washed and the residue dissolved in sulphuric acid and the solution treated in known manner for the production of pigments.