Pyro-Metallurgical Processing of Ilmenite Concentrate with Production of Iron and Titanium Oxides

Abstract

The main problem of processing of ores with a high content of titanium oxides is refractory slag based on TiO2, which makes it difficult to melt. The methods of processing of titanomagnetite and ilmenite ores were analyzed. It is shown that the existing scheme of processing does not meet the requirements of complex use of materials. The paper presents the results of laboratory studies on reduction of ilmenite concentrate and subsequent pyrometallurgical separation of reduction products without addition of flux or slag-forming materials. Solid-phase reduction of iron enabled to extract iron selectively from the ilmenite crystal lattice, not diluting the oxide phase with the reducing agent ash. Using the advantages of solid-phase reduction, the possibility of obtaining pure iron and slag with a high content of titanium oxides was shown.

Influence of Anthracite-to-Ilmenite-Ratio on Element Distribution in Titanium Slag Smelting in Large DC Furnaces

“…In the melting process, titanium compounds with different valences coexist, and their proportions vary with the melting temperature and degree of reduction. Solid-phase reduction of iron enables the selective extraction of iron from the ilmenite crystal lattice without diluting the oxide phase with the reducing agent ash [10].…”

“…The results show that at a low temperature (1027 K-1273 K), CO energy can reduce Fe 2 O 3 in ore to FeO and Fe according to formulas (13) and (14), respectively. When the temperature is higher than 1273 K, the reaction formulas (10) and ( 12) can be obtained; however, because their reaction equilibrium constants are small, only the solid material near the bottom layer can be reduced according to formulas (10) and (12). In a closed electric furnace, the reduction in CO is strengthened.…”