JP2006063359A - Method and device for producing metal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method where titanium oxide and the other metal oxide are directly reduced, and titanium and the other metal are produced. <P>SOLUTION: The material to be melted comprising metal oxide is held to a melting reaction part in a crucible 6, and the material to be melted is heated using an electrode for melting, so as to be a melt 7. With the melt side (crucible) as the cathode, energizing is performed using an electrode for electrolysis, and the material to be melted comprising metal oxide to be charged inside the melt is reduced. The electrode for melting may be served also as the electrode for electrolysis. In the example shown in the figure, the liquid face of the melt is irradiated with plasma from a plasma torch 8 and is melted, and, as the electrode for electrolysis, an electrode (anode 9) dipped into the melt is used. In the case the melt comprises calcium chloride, the metal oxide is titanium oxide, and a transition type plasma torch is used, metal titanium can be efficiently produced. As the electrode for electrolysis, a gas electrode may be used. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, a material containing a metal oxide such as titanium oxide is heated, desirably irradiated with plasma and melted, and electrolyzed to directly reduce the metal oxide, thereby removing titanium and other metals. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method and apparatus.

Metals such as titanium, zirconium, and niobium have a strong affinity for oxygen, and any of them requires a complicated process to extract the metal from these ores. For example, in the production of titanium metal, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) obtained by pretreatment of ores such as rutile (TiO ₂ ) and ilmenite (FeTiO ₃ ) is usually chlorinated to form titanium tetrachloride (TiCl ₄ ). A crawl method (Mg reduction method) is used in which this is reduced by reacting with magnesium to form sponge metal titanium.

However, in the process a batch method in which the titanium sponge titanium tetrachloride, it is difficult to continuously. In addition, for reuse of magnesium chloride produced by reduction of titanium tetrachloride (MgCl _2), molten salt MgCl ₂ When separating into Mg and Cl ₂ by the electrolytic method, a great amount of energy (electric power) is consumed. Therefore, development of the manufacturing method of the metal titanium which can be operated continuously and can reduce electric power consumption is calculated | required.

  Therefore, the development of a method for directly reducing ore and metal oxide has been attempted.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a large number of graphite electrodes are provided in the atmosphere, and a multi-phase AC voltage is applied to them to cause arc discharge between adjacent electrodes, and (CO) ⁺ generated by oxidative decomposition of the graphite electrodes. , A direct smelting method is disclosed in which a non-transferred plasma arc containing C ⁺ ions is directly ejected from the tip of an electrode to ore or metal oxide (magnetite, chromite ore-bearing titanium ore). ing.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a first group of six electrodes that are radially arranged so that the tip portions are positioned at equal angular intervals on the same circumference, and the tip portions are below these tip portions. A second group of six electrodes each offset by 30 degrees in the circumferential direction, and a three-phase AC power source connected to these twelve electrodes, and by these electrodes and the power source, a plurality of arcs directed downward; A plurality of arcs that are struck from the lateral direction and a plurality of arcs that radiate around the arcs are generated, and the titanium dioxide is heated together with the graphite powder for reduction by these arcs. A smelting device is disclosed.

  These are all technologies that use thermal plasma to reduce ores and metal oxides with carbon, and the reduction reaction is performed in a short time at an extremely high temperature. However, since carbon is used for reduction, an increase in the carbon concentration of the resulting metal is inevitable.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 3 discloses a direct electrolysis method in which oxygen is removed from an oxide of a metal such as Ti, Si, and Ge by electrolysis in a chloride molten salt. In this method, for example, when a metal titanium containing oxygen is used as a cathode and current is supplied in the molten salt, oxygen in the titanium moves (dissolves) in the electrolyte rather than metal ions in the molten salt precipitate on the surface of the titanium. It utilizes the phenomenon that the reaction proceeds preferentially, and it is said that not only oxygen in titanium metal but also oxygen can be removed from titanium oxide by contacting titanium oxide with the cathode. However, various problems need to be solved in order to immediately put this method into practical use.

Japanese Patent No. 2659807

Japanese Patent No. 3214714 JP-T-2002-517613

  An object of the present invention is a method for producing metals such as titanium, zirconium, niobium by directly reducing ores and metal oxides by using heating, preferably heating and melting by thermal plasma, and electrolysis, and therefore, It is in providing the apparatus of.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventors added titanium oxide powder to molten calcium chloride, electrolyzed using a graphite electrode as an anode and a metal titanium plate as a cathode, and irradiated titanium with plasma to irradiate titanium oxide. The reduction method was examined.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an apparatus used for this examination. As shown in the figure, a metal titanium plate 3 was horizontally arranged at the bottom of a flat bottom crucible 1 to form a cathode, and a material to be melted in which titanium oxide powder was added to calcium chloride was charged into the crucible 1. A plasma torch 5 connected to the anode was attached immediately above the crucible 1, and plasma was irradiated by energization between the plasma torch 5 and the metal titanium plate 3 to melt calcium chloride, whereby a molten salt 2 was obtained. The irradiation in this case is transfer type plasma irradiation in which the arc discharge reaches the liquid surface of the molten salt 2. Thereafter, the graphite electrode 4 was immersed in the molten salt 2 to serve as an anode, and electricity was passed between the graphite electrode 4 and the metal titanium plate 3 to electrolyze the molten salt 2 (hereinafter referred to as “electrolysis”).

  As a result, formation of granular titanium on the metal titanium plate 3 was observed. Similar results can be obtained even when a gas electrode is used as the electrode (anode) for electrolysis.

  When the plasma torch 5 is not used as an anode, non-migration type plasma irradiation is performed to keep the arc discharge in the plasma torch, and energization is performed only between the graphite electrode 4 and the metal titanium plate 3. The formation of granular titanium was observed.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such knowledge, and the gist thereof is the following (1) or (2) metal production method, and (3) or (4) below which can carry out this method. In the device.

  (1) A melt containing a metal oxide is held in the melt reaction part, and the melt is heated by using a melting electrode, and the melt is used as a melt, and the electrolysis electrode is used with the melt side as a cathode. The metal production method reduces the metal oxide that is energized and continuously or intermittently charged into the melt.

  (2) A melt containing a metal oxide is held in the melt reaction part, and the melt is heated by using an electrode for melting, and melted by causing the electrode to function as an electrode for electrolysis. A method for producing a metal, characterized in that a metal oxide that is energized with the object side as a cathode and continuously or intermittently charged into the melt is reduced.

  As used herein, “metal oxide” refers to oxides such as titanium, aluminum, chromium, zirconium, niobium, vanadium, and tungsten.

The “melt containing a metal oxide” is a molten salt containing a metal oxide, a melt obtained by melting a metal oxide and another oxide, or a mixture thereof. Those containing calcium compounds are desirable. For example, molten salt of calcium chloride (CaCl ₂ ) and metal oxide, mixed salt of calcium chloride, potassium chloride (KCl), calcium fluoride (CaF ₂ ) and the like, molten salt of metal oxide, calcium chloride and calcium oxide For example, a metal oxide melt. Hereinafter, it is also simply referred to as “melt”. The “melted material” refers to a solid material before melting.

  The “melting reaction part” will be described later with reference to the drawings. Generally, the melt is solidified along the inner wall of the crucible, and the melt held inside the solidified “solidified material”. This is the part where things exist. In this part, reduction reaction of the metal oxide occurs by electrolysis.

  In the method for producing a metal according to (1) or (2), an electrode for electrolysis (in the method for producing a metal according to (2), an electrode for electrolysis when the electrode for dissolution is made to function as an electrode for electrolysis is used. May be a gas electrode disposed above the liquid surface of the melt.

  In the metal production method of (1) above, melting of the material to be melted is performed by plasma irradiation, and if an electrode immersed in the melt is used as an electrode for electrolysis, the melting is performed quickly and stable electrolysis is achieved. Easy to continue.

  In the method for producing a metal according to (1) or (2), the plasma is irradiated from a transfer type plasma torch connected to an anode, the melt contains calcium chloride, and the metal oxide is oxidized. If it contains titanium, titanium metal can be produced efficiently.

  In the production method of (1) or (2), in the production of titanium metal, the melting reaction part is in a bottomless crucible, and titanium produced and settled by the reduction is continuously or continuously from the lower side of the bottomless crucible. If the extraction is intermittent, the titanium metal can be produced efficiently or continuously or intermittently.

  In the production method of (1), in the production of titanium metal, if the electrode immersed in the melt is composed of a titanium oxide-containing material, there is no carbon (C) contamination that occurs when, for example, a graphite electrode is used. It is possible to supply titanium oxide as a raw material by the electrode used for the above.

  In the production method of (1) or (2), “intermittently charging” means that metal oxide is intermittently charged, and titanium generated and precipitated by reduction is deposited from below the bottomless crucible. In addition to intermittently withdrawing and continuing production (intermittent production), when a predetermined amount of metal oxide is intermittently (that is, divided into multiple times), or the entire amount is charged at once This includes the case of manufacturing in batch mode.

  (3) Heating the melt containing the metal oxide in the melt reaction part or the crucible that functions as a cathode while holding the melt, and the melt containing the metal oxide held in the melt reaction part A melting electrode for forming a melt, an electrode for electrolysis for reducing the metal oxide in the melt by energizing between the crucible, and a melt containing the metal oxide in the melt An apparatus for producing a metal, comprising: means for continuously or intermittently charging an object; and means for energizing between the cathode and the electrode for melting and between the cathode and the electrode for electrolysis.

  (4) Heating the melt containing the metal oxide in the melt reaction part or the crucible that functions as a cathode while holding the melt, and the melt containing the metal oxide held in the melt reaction part A melting electrode that also functions as an electrode for electrolysis for reducing the metal oxide in the melt by energizing the crucible and containing the metal oxide in the melt An apparatus for producing a metal, comprising: means for continuously or intermittently feeding a material to be melted; and means for energizing between the cathode and the melting electrode.

  Here, the “crucible” is a container for holding a melt, and it is not only a “crucible” with a normal bottom, but also “nothing” with the bottom removed so that the solidified metal in the crucible can be pulled out from below the crucible. "Bottom crucible" is also included.

  In the metal production apparatus of (3) or (4), an electrode for electrolysis (in the metal production apparatus of (4), an electrode for electrolysis when the electrode for dissolution is made to function as an electrode for electrolysis is used. May be a gas electrode disposed above the liquid surface of the melt.

  In the metal production apparatus according to (3), the melting electrode is a plasma torch that generates plasma irradiated on the liquid surface of the melt, and the electrolysis electrode is an anode immersed in the melt. The material to be melted can be dissolved quickly and stable electrolysis can be easily continued.

  In the metal production apparatus of (3) or (4), the plasma torch constitutes an anode, the melt contains calcium chloride, and the metal oxide introduced into the melt is a titanium oxide-containing material. For example, it is suitable for carrying out the method for producing metal titanium in the production method of (1) or (2).

  In the production apparatus of (3) or (4), the crucible is a bottomless crucible, and has means for continuously or intermittently withdrawing titanium produced and precipitated by the reduction from the lower side of the bottomless crucible. For example, it is suitable for carrying out a method for producing metal titanium efficiently and continuously or intermittently.

  In the production apparatus of (3) above, when producing titanium metal, if the anode immersed in the melt is composed of a titanium oxide-containing material, the titanium oxide-containing material in the production method of (1) is used. The method used as the anode can be easily carried out.

  In the method for producing a metal according to (1) or (2) above, if the temperature of the melt is set to 1000 ° C. or higher, or the temperature of the melt is maintained at 1000 ° C. or higher in the manufacturing apparatus of (3) or (4). If possible, the reduction reaction rate of the metal oxide or titanium oxide can be increased, which is desirable.

  According to the method for producing a metal of the present invention, a melt containing a metal oxide is heated (preferably, irradiated with plasma) using a melting electrode to form a melt, which is directly reduced by electrolysis. Thus, metals such as titanium, zirconium and niobium can be obtained. Moreover, this manufacturing method can be easily and suitably implemented by the metal manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

  Below, the manufacturing method and apparatus of the metal of this invention are demonstrated with reference to drawings.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of an apparatus (the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention) that can carry out the manufacturing method of the present invention, and plasma that generates plasma in which a melting electrode is irradiated on the liquid surface of the melt. It is a figure in the case of the electrode (anode) which is a torch and the electrode for electrolysis was immersed in the melt. In the figure, a melt 7 is held in a melting reaction portion of a crucible 6 that functions as a cathode, and a plasma torch 8 that generates plasma to irradiate the liquid surface of the melt 7 is attached immediately above the crucible 6. . An anode 9 is immersed in the melt 7, and a raw material supply apparatus 10 is installed as a means for continuously or intermittently charging the melt 7 containing a metal oxide into the melt 7. A direct current power source 11a is provided as a means for energizing between 6) and the anode 9. Further, a DC power source 11b is provided for energizing between the cathode (the crucible 6) and the plasma torch 8 constituting the anode.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a bottomless crucible is used as the crucible 6. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any container that can hold a melt, such as a crucible having a bottom, may be used. In addition, as a crucible, what is normally used, such as a water-cooled copper crucible, is applicable.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, the plasma torch 8 is a transition type plasma torch that constitutes an anode and the arc discharge 8a reaches the liquid level of the melt 7. However, the arc discharge stays in the plasma torch and the high temperature plasma Only a non-migration type plasma torch in which only the molten salt liquid surface is irradiated may be used. Further, the same polarity (cathode) as in the case of normal arc discharge plasma may be used, and a non-migration type plasma torch may be used.

  As the anode 9, a graphite electrode is generally applicable.

  In order to carry out the production method of the present invention using this apparatus, first, a material to be melted containing a metal oxide is held in the melting reaction part.

  The “melting reaction part” is a part where a melt containing a metal oxide exists, and is a part where a reduction reaction of a metal oxide such as titanium oxide occurs when electricity is passed between an anode and a cathode and electrolysis is performed. In FIG. 2, the melt is solidified along the inner wall of the crucible that is water-cooled, and the melt 7 inside the solidified portion 13 is firmly present.

  In addition, at the start of production, there is no metal such as titanium produced by reduction at the site corresponding to the bottom of the bottomless crucible, and a method such as pre-filling with a dummy material as is conventionally done In this case, the “melting reaction part” refers to a part surrounded by a crucible wall having a dummy material at the bottom and the solidified part 13 is not yet formed on the side surface.

  If the material to be melted contains calcium chloride, it is desirable because Ca generated by electrolysis contributes to reduction of a metal oxide such as titanium oxide, as will be described later.

  Subsequently, the melted material is heated using a melting electrode to form a melted material.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, melting of the material to be melted is performed by plasma irradiation from a transfer type plasma torch 8 connected to the anode. Since a DC power source 11 b is provided and a voltage is applied between the plasma torch 8 and the crucible 6, the arc discharge 8 a reaches the liquid level of the melt 7, and between the crucible 6 functioning as a cathode and the plasma torch 8. An electric current flows through the melt. As a result, the material to be melted is heated and melted into a melt.

  Next, a current is applied using an electrode for electrolysis with the melt side as a cathode, and the metal oxide continuously or intermittently charged into the melt is reduced.

  In this example, an electrode immersed in a melt is used as an electrode for electrolysis, and this is used as an anode 9, and the melt 7 side is energized as a cathode. As a result, the metal oxide in the melt is electrolyzed and reduced, and a metal such as titanium or zirconium is generated and settles at the bottom of the melt reaction part.

  Thus, the metal oxide (melted material) continuously or intermittently charged into the melt becomes a melt by heating, and is electrolyzed and reduced. The metal oxide (melted material) can be charged using a raw material supply apparatus 10. In this case, the solidification part 13 has been generated, and the object to be melted is poured into the melt held in the melt reaction part, and the metal oxide is electrolyzed and reduced while melting. Become.

  The irradiated plasma melts the material to be melted into a melt, and also acts as a heat source for keeping the melt at a high temperature. Furthermore, since the plasma irradiated from the transfer type plasma torch 8 illustrated in FIG. 2 contributes to the reduction reaction, it is preferable as compared with the case where the non-transfer type plasma torch is used.

  In addition, in this way, the plasma irradiated from the transfer type plasma torch contributes to the reduction reaction, so that the electrode for electrolysis is not used, for example, the melting of the melted material and the melted material by the irradiated plasma. It is possible to hold the metal at a high temperature and reduce the metal oxide.

  This method is, for example, an apparatus in which the DC power source 11a as a means for energizing the anode 9 immersed in the melt 7 and the cathode (the crucible 6) is removed from the apparatus shown in FIG. Can be implemented. That is, the melting electrode may also serve as the electrode for electrolysis, thereby simplifying the apparatus.

  In the example shown in FIG. 2, a bottomless crucible is used, and the metal formed by reduction and precipitated (in the example shown in FIG. 2, metal titanium 12) is continuously or downwardly from the bottom side of the bottomless crucible. It is pulled out intermittently. Although a drawing means is not shown in the drawing, a commonly used means may be applied.

  The reaction occurring in this electrolysis process is as follows, taking the case where the metal oxide is titanium oxide as an example.

When the melt does not contain calcium chloride, in the melting reaction part, titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) is supplied with electrons e ⁻ from the cathode (that is, metal titanium 12 formed by precipitation and precipitated), and the following (i) The electrode reaction of the formula occurs to produce titanium metal (Ti). On the other hand, in the anode, an electrode reaction of the following formula (ii) occurs and oxygen (O ₂ ) is generated. However, if the anode is a graphite electrode that is usually used, graphite (C) reacts with this O ₂ ( The following (iia) formula), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) is generated. Carbon monoxide (CO) may be generated. In addition, if metal oxides other than titanium oxide are contained, it will be reduced similarly.

Cathode: TiO ₂ + 4e ⁻ → Ti + 2O ²⁻ (i)
_{^{Anode: 2O 2- → O 2 + 4e}} - ·· (ii)
C + O ₂ → CO ₂ .. (iia)
Further, when the melt contains calcium chloride, in addition to the reaction of the above formula (i), an electrode reaction of the following formula (iii) occurs, followed by a chemical reaction of the formula (iv), (Iii) TiO ₂ is reduced by Ca generated by the reaction of the formula, and metal Ti is generated. On the other hand, the electrode reaction of the following formula (v) generally occurs at the anode. The generated O ₂ and graphite (C) may react to generate CO ₂ or CO. If the anode is a graphite electrode, an electrode reaction of the following formula (vi) occurs, and CO ₂ is generated from the anode surface. Metal oxides other than titanium oxide are similarly reduced.

Cathode: 2Ca ²⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2Ca (3)
TiO ₂ + 2Ca → Ti + 2CaO (iv)
^{_{Anode: 2CaO → O 2 + 2Ca 2+}} + 4e - ·· (v)
Anode (graphite): 2CaO + C → CO ₂ + 2Ca ²⁺ + 4e ⁻ (vi)
Thus, when the melt contains calcium chloride, reduction of titanium oxide and other metal oxides with Ca proceeds, so that titanium and other metals can be easily produced as compared with the case where calcium chloride is not included. .

  When implementing the manufacturing method of this invention, it is desirable that the temperature of a melt shall be 1000 degreeC or more. In general, the reaction rate increases as the temperature rises, but in this case as well, by increasing the temperature of the melt to 1000 ° C. or higher, the reduction reaction rate of the metal oxide can be increased and the reaction can proceed rapidly. . In particular, when titanium oxide is reduced, if the temperature of the melt is 1600 ° C. or higher, the titanium metal produced can be taken out in an ingot shape, which is more desirable. Note that the upper limit of the melt temperature is not limited because it is naturally determined due to restrictions on equipment, energy cost required for temperature increase, and the like.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another schematic configuration example of an apparatus (the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention) that can implement the manufacturing method of the present invention. In the same figure, it has the same structure as the apparatus shown in the said FIG. 2 except that the anode 14 immersed in the melt 7 is comprised with the titanium oxide.

This apparatus is an apparatus applied when producing titanium metal by reducing titanium oxide. Thus, the use of the titanium oxide electrode as the anode has the following advantages.
(A) C contamination of titanium (that is, increase in C concentration of titanium and formation of titanium carbide TiC) does not occur.
(B) Since the electrode itself is electrolytically reduced, if a device is added to the shape of the electrode or the like, it is possible to supply the raw material by using the titanium oxide electrode. In addition, a raw material supply apparatus can also be used together.
(C) Although the graphite electrode is oxidized to oxygen generated during electrolysis, the titanium oxide electrode is not oxidized because it is originally an oxide.
(D) Titanium oxide has a conductivity sufficient to allow sufficient current flow at high temperatures.

  FIG. 4 is a view showing still another schematic configuration example of an apparatus (the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention) that can implement the manufacturing method of the present invention. In the figure, the tip of the anode 14 is located not in the melt 7 but in the vicinity of the center of the arc of the arc discharge 8a. Since ions are present in the arc and sufficient conductivity is ensured, even if the anode 14 is arranged in this manner, it functions in the same manner as when immersed in the melt 7, and the melt 7 A similar reaction occurs at and near the liquid level.

  By adopting the configuration shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to easily remove C contamination which is a concern when, for example, a graphite electrode is used.

  As described above, the production of titanium has been mainly described as an example, but it is also possible to produce metals such as aluminum, chromium, zirconium, niobium, vanadium, and tungsten. Further, for example, when titanium is manufactured, if titanium oxide is mixed with aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, vanadium oxide, etc., a titanium alloy containing these metals can be manufactured.

  5 and 6 are diagrams showing a schematic configuration example of an apparatus (the manufacturing apparatus of the present invention) that can carry out the manufacturing method of the present invention, in which a gas electrode is used as an electrode for electrolysis.

  The gas electrode 15 is disposed above the liquid level of the melt, and the gas 16 that has passed through the gas electrode 15 is supplied to the liquid level of the melt 7. FIG. 5 shows the case where the gas 16 is supplied to the liquid surface of the melt 7 from obliquely above, and FIG. 6 shows the case where the gas 16 is supplied perpendicularly to the liquid surface from directly above.

As the gas 16, for example, hydrogen (H ₂ ), carbon monoxide (CO), or the like can be used. However, when manufacturing titanium or a titanium alloy, if CO gas is used, C contamination of titanium (increase in C concentration) , TiC formation) may occur, so it is desirable to use H ₂ gas.

When H ₂ gas is used, H ⁺ is generated by the electrode reaction of the following formula (vii) at the gas electrode (anode). When the melt does not contain CaCl ₂ , the chemical reaction of the formula (viii) proceeds on the liquid surface of the melt 7 (that is, the interface between the gas 16 and the melt 7), and H ₂ O (water vapor) continues. Produces. Incidentally, (viii) type O ^2- is, TiO ₂ at the cathode is O ^2- generated in the reaction is reduced to Ti (the (i) see formula).

^{_{Anode: H 2 → 2H + + 2e}} - ·· (vii)
O ^2- + 2H ⁺ → H ₂ O (viii)
When the melt contains CaCl ₂ , following the electrode reaction of formula (vii), a chemical reaction of formula (ix) below proceeds on the liquid surface of the melt 7 to generate H ₂ O. In addition, CaO of the formula (ix) is CaO generated by the reaction of the formulas (iii) and (iv) at the cathode.

CaO + 2H ⁺ → 2Ca ²⁺ + 2H ₂ O (ix)

  According to the method for producing a metal of the present invention, a melt containing a metal oxide is heated (preferably, irradiated with plasma) using a melting electrode to form a melt, which is directly reduced by electrolysis. Thus, titanium and other metals can be produced. This manufacturing method can be easily and suitably performed by the metal manufacturing apparatus of the present invention. Therefore, the production method and apparatus of the present invention can be effectively used as a means for producing metals and alloys such as titanium, zirconium and niobium, particularly titanium or titanium alloys.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structural example of the apparatus used for examination of the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure of the apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of this invention) which can implement the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other schematic structural example of the apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of this invention) which can implement the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other schematic structural example of the apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of this invention) which can implement the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of schematic structure at the time of using the gas electrode as an electrode for electrolysis with the apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of this invention) which can implement the manufacturing method of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other schematic structural example at the time of using the gas electrode as an electrode for electrolysis with the apparatus (manufacturing apparatus of this invention) which can implement the manufacturing method of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Crucible 2: Molten salt 3: Titanium metal plate 4: Graphite electrode 5: Plasma torch 6: Crucible 7: Melt 8: Plasma torch 8a: Arc discharge 9: Anode 10: Raw material supply devices 11a, 11b: DC power supply 12 : Metal titanium 13: Solidification part 14: Anode 15: Gas electrode 16: Gas

Claims (16)

  A melt containing a metal oxide is held in the melting reaction part, and the melt is heated by using an electrode for dissolution, and a melt is formed. A method for producing a metal comprising reducing a metal oxide continuously or intermittently charged into a melt.   A melt containing a metal oxide is held in the melting reaction part, and the melt is heated by using an electrode for dissolution, and the melt is made to function as an electrode for electrolysis. A method for producing a metal, characterized in that a metal oxide that is energized as a cathode and continuously or intermittently charged into a melt is reduced.   The method for producing a metal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode for electrolysis is a gas electrode disposed above the liquid surface of the melt.   The method for producing a metal according to claim 1, wherein the melt is melted by plasma irradiation, and the electrode for electrolysis is an electrode immersed in the melt.   5. The plasma according to claim 1, wherein the plasma is irradiated from a transfer type plasma torch connected to an anode, the melt contains calcium chloride, and the metal oxide contains titanium oxide. The manufacturing method of the metal in any one.   6. The melting reaction part is in a bottomless crucible, and titanium generated and settled by the reduction is continuously or intermittently extracted from the lower side of the bottomless crucible. Metal manufacturing method.   5. The method for producing a metal according to claim 4, wherein the electrode immersed in the melt is composed of a titanium oxide-containing material.   The method for producing a metal according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the melt is 1000 ° C. or higher.   Holding the melt or melt containing the metal oxide in the melt reaction part and crucible that functions as a cathode, and heating the melt containing the metal oxide held in the melt reaction part to melt An electrode for melting to reduce the metal oxide in the melt by energizing between the crucible and the melt containing the metal oxide in the melt continuously. An apparatus for producing a metal, characterized in that it has means for charging in an intermittent or intermittent manner, and means for energizing between the cathode and the electrode for melting and between the cathode and the electrode for electrolysis.   Holding the melt or melt containing the metal oxide in the melt reaction part and crucible that functions as a cathode, and heating the melt containing the metal oxide held in the melt reaction part to melt And a melting electrode that also functions as an electrode for electrolysis for reducing the metal oxide in the melt by energizing the crucible, and a melt containing the metal oxide in the melt A device for producing metal, characterized in that it has means for continuously or intermittently charging and means for energizing between the cathode and the melting electrode.   11. The metal production apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the electrode for electrolysis is a gas electrode disposed above the liquid surface of the melt.   10. The melting electrode according to claim 9, wherein the melting electrode is a plasma torch that generates plasma irradiated on the liquid surface of the melt, and the electrolysis electrode is an anode immersed in the melt. Metal manufacturing equipment.   The plasma torch constitutes an anode, the melt contains calcium chloride, and the metal oxide introduced into the melt is a titanium oxide-containing material. The metal manufacturing apparatus as described.   14. The crucible is a bottomless crucible, and has means for continuously or intermittently withdrawing titanium produced and settled by the reduction from the lower side of the bottomless crucible. Metal manufacturing equipment.   The metal manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the anode immersed in the melt is composed of a titanium oxide-containing material. The apparatus for producing a metal according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the temperature of the melt can be maintained at 1000 ° C or higher.

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