Investigation on Phase Evaluation of Ilmenite Ore by Carbothermal Reduction and Carboiodination Reaction

Abstract

This article presented the thermochemical calculation and experimental investigation on the phase evaluation of ilmenite ore (FeTiO₃) via carbothermal reduction and carboiodination reaction for titanium production using graphite as a reducing agent. The carbothermal reduction and carboiodination reactions were performed in two different furnaces. The carbothermal reduction was evaluated at a temperature of 1550°C with inert argon gas utilizing a horizontal tube furnace. The carboiodination reactions were evaluated in temperatures ranging from 900°C, 950°C, and 1000°C using a vertical tube furnace with mixed iodine gas with argon gas. XRF and XRD were used for analyzing the chemical compositions and the phase evolutions of raw ilmenite ore and the reduced samples, respectively. The findings showed that the Perak ilmenite ore predominantly has a greater concentration of TiO₂ (71.27wt%), Fe₂O₃ (18.85wt%), and some other oxides like aluminum oxide and quartz. In addition, XRD revealed that the ilmenite phase was converted into rutile (TiO₂) titanium oxide (Ti₃O₅, Ti₂O₃), titanium carbide (TiC), and iron (Fe) phases, after the carbothermal reduction process. However, after the carboiodination reaction, the ilmenite and rutile phases remained at temperatures 900°C, 950°C, and 1000°C. The HSC Chemistry software was used in the determination of the thermochemical calculation and the possible reactions during the reaction which play an important role in shortening the reduction process. The results revealed the carboiodination process is a promising process that can reduce energy consumption and shorten the titanium production processes, and it needs more studies.