Recent Progress in Electric Furnace Titanium Slag Processing and Utilization: A Review

Abstract

Titanium slags produced through ilmenite electric furnace smelting contain 60–80%TiO2, a vital titanium resource in the titanium industry. The processing and utilization of titanium slag is faced with many challenges, such as complex mineral structures, high requirements, severe environmental pollution, and heavy additives and energy consumption. This study aims to review the technologies for the processing and utilization of titanium slag. First, we analyze the characteristics of titanium slag from different regions. Then, we discuss in detail the methods for processing and using titanium slag. The progress in electric furnace titanium slag processing and utilization can be divided into two areas: the preparation of titanium dioxide and high-quality titanium-rich materials. These include H2SO4 leaching, HCl leaching, fluoride leaching, sulfur roasting–leaching, alkaline roasting–leaching, oxide roasting–leaching, oxidation and reduction roasting–leaching, phosphorylation roasting–leaching, and ammonia decomposition leaching. Further development of oxide roasting–leaching for the extraction of titanium from titanium slag is recommended.