Abstract:Pilot scale chlorination of TiO₂ was carried out with CO as reducing agent. The experimental analysis and modeling of chlorination process of TiO₂ in the presence of CO and Cl₂ in a semi-continuous fluidized bed reactor were aimed. Chlorination process was continuously monitored by measuring the amount of produced TiCl₄ with time. The effects of different operating parameters including chlorination temperature, feedstock particle size and size distribution, amount of feedstock and Cl₂ and CO flow rates on the conversion were systematically investigated. A gradual increase in chlorination temperature led to monotonous increase of conversion rate. Conversion decreased with increased particle size of feedstock. An increase in loaded feedstock led to a decrease in reaction conversion. A model was proposed to predict conversion, particle size distribution and mole fraction of components in gas phase as reaction proceeds. A good agreement between conversions predicted by the model and experimental data under various operating conditions was observed.

Key words: chlorination; TiCl₄; modeling; particle size distribution; conversion