Applicability of carbothermic reduction for upgrading Sri Lankan ilmenite ores: towards converting ilmenite into synthetic rutile by mechanical activation

Abstract Background Ilmenite and rutile are naturally occurring titanium-bearing heavy minerals. Sri Lanka consists of ilmenite in placer deposits mainly along the northeast coast. The commercial value is higher than ilmenite. Therefore, current study focuses to upgrade Lankan ores using commercially available activated carbon as a reducing agent. fraction was initially separated from raw beach sand an industrial-scale magnetic separator (Wet high-intensity separator: sixteen pole model). mixtures (4 1 ratio by weight) were milled planetary ball mill for one four hours at one-hour intervals. Results samples subsequently heated two continuously temperatures 800 °C, 900 1000 1100 1200 respectively. Initial annealed analysed X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, fluorescence (XRF) analyses. XRD pattern initial sample characterized less percentage (TiO 2 ) peaks low crystallinity. However, number crystallinity increased with respective milling temperature. Besides, analysis indicates sharp intense elemental iron above °C. FTIR stretching vibrations Fe–O. vibrational spectral bands around 700 cm ?1 °C assigned Ti–O–Ti vibrations. High TiO + Fe O 3 (total) wt. (%) can also be observed Conclusions optimum conditions carbothermic reduction obtained 4 h annealing h. Carbothermic applicable ores, thus this method adds mineral resources Lanka.