Process feasibility for reduction of ilmenite pellets with non coking coal and separation of TiO from iron

Reduction of ilmenite ore pellets containing 53.2 mass% TiO and 31.2 mass% total Fe were carried out at different temperature ranges varying from 1100°C to 1400°C with lean grade non-coking coal fines. The reduction time of ilmenite pellets were varied from 60 to 360 minutes at a time interval of 60 minutes. The percent reduction of ilmenite pellets increases with increase of reduction temperature and time. The physical and chemical characteristics of reduced ilmenite pellets were examined using Optical, SEM- EDAX and XRD. The micrographs were manifest that as the temperature and time increases the amount of metallic iron islands on TiO and gangue matrix increases. The 2 optimum reduction temperature of ilmenite ore pellet was found to be 1300°C for 3 to 4 hours time. On further reduction at 1400oC after 3 hours, iron gets separated in the form of nuggets leaving behind TiO and gangue as slag. Nuggets were seen as white droplets on 2 the surface of reduced pellets. It is interesting to note that the recovery of iron in the form of nuggets was more than 73%. SEM-EDAX analysis reveals that with progress of reduction temperature above 1300 C, iron wishker starts growing on the gangue particles and form nuggets on further enhancement of time and or temperature. It is also observed that the separation of iron from TiO is feasible at 1400oC using lean grade non-coking 2 coal fines as a reductant without any atmospheric constrain.