Chloride process

The goal of the process is to win high purity titanium dioxide from ores such as ilmenite (FeTiO3) and rutile (TiO2).

Millions of tons of TiO2 are produced annually by this process, mainly for use as white pigments.

[1]: 15 In this process, the feedstock is treated at 1000 °C with carbon and chlorine gas, giving titanium tetrachloride.

Typical is the conversion starting from the ore ilmenite:[2] The process is a variant of a carbothermic reaction, which exploits the reducing power of carbon.

[1]: 13 It can be subsequently oxidized in an oxygen flame or plasma to give the pure titanium dioxide.