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.