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Title: Process for producing high purity zirconium and hafnium

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6363120

An improved process is described for producing zirconium or hafnium. The process is of the type wherein a tetrachloride of zirconium or hafnium is reduced by magnesium and the resulting metal is subjected to a distillation treatment. The improvement comprises: introducing magnesium chloride into a combination reduction-distillation vessel. An inner liner with at least one bottom drain opening with the drain opening providing fluid communication between the vessel and the liner. The magnesium chloride is added in a quantity to fill the vessel and the inner liner to a level above the liner bottom drain opening, whereby the magnesium chloride provides a seal which prevents magnesium in the inner liner from flowing out of the inner liner.

Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
Patent Number(s):
US 4668287
OSTI ID:
6363120
Resource Relation:
Patent File Date: Filed date 26 Sep 1985
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English