Abstract
The mineralogy and textural relationships of the Tellnes ilmenite concentrate were determined to evaluate the effect of mineralogical characteristics of the raw material on sulphate-route TiO2 pigment production. It was found that the presence of hematite exsolutions and their grain size, twinning, the amount of ferric iron in the ilmenite, and the grain size distribution of the feed material affected the solubility of the ilmenite concentrate. Structural discontinuities, such as twinning, favoured the leaching of ilmenite grains. Depending on the size and distribution of exsolved hematite, there is a good correlation between the degree of dissolution of ilmenite and the amount of exsolved hematite from ilmenite. On the other hand, the coarser the ilmenite grain in the digestion step is the lesser the solubility. The quantity of trace elements, such as Cr and V, and their provenances in the mineral lattices normally affect the quality of the pigment. Their concentrations in the Tellnes ilmenite, however, are associated with the exsolved hematite which does not go into solution. Mg affects the precipitation process, and the MgO content of the concentrate is 4% which is mainly bound in ilmenite lattices. In contrast, MgO rises to 10% in unreacted solids due to the accumulation of insoluble Mg-bearing silicates.
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call