The process of zirconium production involves several steps. Here is a detailed description of the process:
1. Ore cracking: The first step in zirconium production is ore cracking, where zirconium-containing ores are processed to extract zirconium compounds. This involves breaking down the ores and separating the zirconium-containing minerals from other impurities.
2. Hf separation: After ore cracking, the zirconium compounds are further processed to separate hafnium (Hf) from zirconium (Zr). Hafnium is a closely related element to zirconium and needs to be removed to obtain pure zirconium.
3. Calcination: The next step is calcination, where the zirconium compounds are heated at high temperatures to convert them into zirconium oxide (ZrO2). Calcination is a process that involves the removal of water and other volatile substances from the zirconium compounds.
4. Pure chlorination: Once the zirconium oxide is obtained, it undergoes pure chlorination. This involves reacting the ZrO2 with chlorine gas (Cl2) to form zirconium tetrachloride (ZrCl4). This reaction is carried out in a controlled environment to ensure the production of high-quality zirconium tetrachloride.
5. Reduction to pure metal: The final step in zirconium production is the reduction of zirconium tetrachloride to obtain pure zirconium metal. This reduction is usually done using a reducing agent such as magnesium (Mg). The reaction between zirconium tetrachloride and magnesium produces zirconium metal and magnesium chloride as a byproduct.
Overall, the process of zirconium production involves ore cracking, Hf separation, calcination, pure chlorination, and reduction to obtain pure zirconium metal. These steps ensure the production of high-quality zirconium for various industrial applications.
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