Thermal plasma smelting of Indian ilmenite

Abstract

Studies on thermal plasma synthesis of calcium titanate slag by plasma smelting of ilmenite (Chhatrapur, India) is reported. The effect of flux on removal of iron and metal-slag separation was also studied. A slag rich in calcium titanate with metallic iron as a byproduct was obtained in this process. These were characterized by bulk chemical analysis, optical microscopic studies, X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, and is reported here. Preliminary experimental results on use of this slag reveals that the same can be used for preparation of titanium carbide, an intermediate raw material for production of titanium tetrachloride.