Preparation of Ferrotitanium Using Ilmenite with Different Reduction Degrees

Abstract

The effect of ilmenite with different reduction degrees on the production of ferrotitanium, using a self-propagation high-temperature synthesis method with aluminum as the reducing agent, was investigated. Increasing the degree of reduction not only contributed to lower consumption of aluminum, but also lowered the oxygen content and improved the grades of titanium and iron in the ferrotitanium. The aluminum content of the ferrotitanium increased with an increase in the extent of reduction of ilmenite, so the Al2O3 content formed in the slag decreased with the constant addition of CaO and CaF2 to the Al powder. This decreased relatively the content of high-melting-point CaAl12O19 and increased the contents of low-melting-point CaAl2O4 and CaF2 in the slag, thereby promoting the separation of ferrotitanium and slag. Improving the reduction degree of ilmenite is beneficial to the preparation of ferrotitanium.

Recent Advancements in Material Waste Recycling: Conventional, Direct Conversion, and Additive Manufacturing Techniques

“…Hence, the aluminothermic method or electro aluminothermic method is used to add titanium to liquid steel to obtain ferrotitanium alloy [195,196]. The traditional production method uses rutile and low phosphorus sulfur titanium as raw materials, which makes it difficult to control impurities [197][198][199], but by adjusting the proportion of ingredients, high titanium ferrotitanium can be produced by using titanium waste [200]. During processing and collection, the titanium chips can get contaminated by impurities like cutting fluid, dust, and mechanical oil.…”

“…Debarbadillo details the procedures for melting, handling, and refining nickel-based super alloy scrap [207]. Yagi et al [208] materials, which makes it difficult to control impurities [197][198][199], but by adjusting the proportion of ingredients, high titanium ferrotitanium can be produced by using titanium waste [200]. During processing and collection, the titanium chips can get contaminated by impurities like cutting fluid, dust, and mechanical oil.…”

Titanium: An Overview of Resources and Production Methods

“…The method allows the process temperature and the phase composition to be controlled by changing the number of moles of Mg and NaCl [67]. Furthermore, new research has been developed to study the effect of the degree of ilmenite reduction on the chemical and phase characteristics of ferrotitanium and slag produced by the SHS aluminothermic process, which is a highly exothermic thermite reaction [68]. Increasing reduction not only reduces the consumption of aluminum and the amount of slag produced in the preparation of ferrotitanium but also reduces the oxygen content and improves the titanium and iron qualities [68].…”

“…Furthermore, new research has been developed to study the effect of the degree of ilmenite reduction on the chemical and phase characteristics of ferrotitanium and slag produced by the SHS aluminothermic process, which is a highly exothermic thermite reaction [68]. Increasing reduction not only reduces the consumption of aluminum and the amount of slag produced in the preparation of ferrotitanium but also reduces the oxygen content and improves the titanium and iron qualities [68]. Further, the Panzhihua ilmenite carbothermal reduction with activated carbon has been studied by using isothermal trials between 1200 • C and 1500 • C [69].…”

Microstructure and Chemical Transformation of Natural Ilmenite during Isothermal Roasting Process in Air Atmosphere

“…Ilmenite as one of titanium-bearing ores is abundant and economical [1,2], being a vital material for the production of metal titanium and titanium-containing materials like ferrotitanium alloy [2][3][4][5][6], synthetic rutile [7][8][9], titanium dioxide nanomaterial [10][11][12] and anode material (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ) [11,13]. The utilizing value of ilmenite is limited to this.…”