S&T: Huijin to manufacture titanium sponge reduction distillation furnace

Pangang has placed an order for a reduction distillation furnace from Xi’an Huijin Technology Co. in China’s Shaanxi Province. 

The furnace will be used to produce titanium sponge, which is required by the high-end Ti and Ti alloy sectors.

Huijin, a subsidiary of CISDI Group, is focused on research and development and applications of new materials, processes and equipment. 

Its green, efficient integrated titanium sponge smelting equipment is a sought-after product in China. It is already in use at Luoyang Sunrui Wanji, Xinjiang XRUN and Pangang. 

During the past decade, around 200 sets have been operating smoothly for delighted customers. 

Huijin began its research and development of the green, efficient titanium sponge smelting integrated equipment in 2015. The product has been evaluated by MCC as a world-class innovation. 

It solves the conventional problems in Ti sponge smelting equipment - high energy consumption, low efficiency, short service life and the need for improvements in product quality. 

The Huijin team studied the reduction and distillation process and the critical reheating furnace unit. Innovations were made by coordinating and integrating the process and the unit. The team’s work achieved higher efficiency and quality and a longer service life. 

To reduce the furnace’s energy consumption, the team invented a four-sided, compressible thermal insulating liner, reducing heat loss by 18 per cent or more.

The team used a dome cover and a novel aisle heater to create a longer-serving critical unit which also reduces manpower requirements.

By applying liquid surface monitoring and multi-point temperature measurement tech, feeding speeds were better matched, enabling more effective control of air volume.

Their inventions resulted in a productivity increase and more stable product quality. The auxiliary equipment’s energy consumption was also lowered. 

Huijin is also taking the lead in efforts to up-size Ti sponge smelting equipment. In partnership with a Chinese plant, a record 20-tonne per heat smelting furnace was successfully applied.

Also in the pipeline at Huijin are multiple programmes which will pioneer Ti and Ti alloy-producing facilities to create larger values for customers.