The NTiT Process for Direct Titanium Production

Through this project Norsk Titanium Technology AS (NTiT) aims to develop a direct production process for titanium metal via electrolysis with oxycarbide anodes. The expected metal powder product from the process is perfectly suited for making wire feedsto ck to the new titanium component production process developed by Norsk Titanium Components AS (NTiC). This new processing route from raw material to titanium components is representing a game changing opportunity for the titanium industry. It allows for t he use of low-grade titanium ores, and it can eliminate several processing steps upstream and downstream and thereby reducing energy consumption, production cost and production time for titanium components significantly. The fundamentals of the electroly tic process have already been identified in cooperation with SINTEF in a previous BIP project sponsored by NFR, and the objective of the current project is to develop and document process understanding further, to the extent that pilot production of titan ium can be implemented. The process must produce titanium powder of sufficiently large particle size to allow for it to be extracted without reacting with oxygen or other reactive species. The challenge is therefore to describe the process mechanisms for all sub-processes, and use the knowledge to design and demonstrate a process capable of producing titanium of sufficient quality. NTiT's team with expertise in the field of industrial development in the relevant technological fields will cooperate with U iA, Teknova and SINTEF as research partners in the project. The current initiatives by NTiT and NTiC are driven by Scatec which is a Norwegian based think-tank and innovator in the materials industry. Scatec is utilizing Norwegian resources and internati onal networks to grow new sustainable industry, within the areas of renewable energy and advanced materials, and has previously successfully launched REC, PhotoCure and several other ground-breaking ventures.