Influence of charge segregation on specific aluminium consumption in production of ferro-titanium

Abstract

Specific aluminium consumption in the production of ferro-titanium through alumino-thermic reduction is usually far above the stoichiometric requirement, in industrial processes. A thermochemical analysis of the process in an industrial operation was carried out to explore this phenomenon. Aluminium was lost as volatile oxides. Entrapment of titanium in the slag layer led to lower recoveries and higher specific aluminium consumption. Oxidation of aluminium by atmospheric oxidation contributed to an increase in the volume of slag produced. The higher the volume of slag, the greater the entrapment of metal in slag. Segregation between aluminium and ore during charging into the reactor vessel led to an increase in the volume of the slag produced since the segregation prevented chemical reaction between the ore and the metal and the latter was predominantly oxidised by air. Trials were conducted by modifying the charge proportion to control the volume of slag produced. This resulted in a decrease in specific aluminium consumption by 100 kg per tonne of titanium produced.Dans les procédé s industriels, la consommation spé cifique d'aluminium lors de la production du ferrotitane par ré duction aluminothermique est habituellement bien au-delà de l'exigence stoechiomé trique. On a effectué une analyse thermochimique du procédé dans une opé ration industrielle afin d'explorer ce phénomè ne. L'aluminium se perdait sous forme d'oxydes volatiles. Le pié geage du titane dans la couche de laitier menait à des ré cupé rations plus faibles et à une consommation spé cifique plus élevé e d'aluminium. L'oxydation de l'aluminium par oxydation atmosphé rique contribuait à une augmentation du volume de laitier produit. Plus le volume de laitier est grand, plus grand est le pié geage du mé tal dans le laitier. La sé gré gation entre l'aluminium et le minerai lors du chargement dans la cuve du ré acteur menait à une augmentation du volume de laitier produit puisque la ségré gation empê chait la ré action chimique entre le minerai et le mé tal et ce dernier était oxydé e par l'air d'une manière pré dominante. On a effectué des essais en modifiant la proportion de la charge pour contrô ler le volume de laitier produit. Ceci a eu pour ré sultat une diminution de la consommation spé cifique d'aluminium de 100 kg par tonne de titane produit.

Investigating the Aluminothermic Process for Producing Ferrotitanium Alloy from Ilmenite Concentrate

“…Chumarev et al evaluated the production efficiency of the FeTi alloy according to the components of ilmenite (FeTiO 3 ) [2]. Misra et al evaluated the recovery efficiency of Ti metals and the consumption of the reducing agent, Al, according to the volume of slag used [23]. However, the thermodynamic calculation of optimum mixing conditions according to the amounts of the compounds used has not been investigated in detail.…”

Preparation of Ferrotitanium Using Ilmenite with Different Reduction Degrees

“…An increase in Al and KClO 4 contents increased material loss caused by sputtering and decreased the yield of target material to ingot, when the Al and KClO 4 contents exceeded 20 mass% and 7 mass%, respectively. It was also reported that an increase of slag volume was detrimental to the recovery of titanium and increased consumption of aluminum [24]. Thus, reducing the slag volume is considered a target for future improved production of ferrotitanium.…”