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.