The Recovery of TiO2 from Ilmenite Ore by Ammonium Sulfate Roasting–Leaching Process

TiO2 production is a key part of Ti metallurgy and recycling, the process itself has turned out to be energy-consuming material-consuming. New technologies are needed utilize complex ores, such as ilmenite, reduce carbon footprint extraction. Ammonium sulfate roasting been revealed an efficient way carry phase transformations minerals. A low-temperature sulfation approach was studied chemically breaking down crystal structure ilmenite generate metal soluble sulfates simultaneously. These roasted products were introduced water leaching, then residue leaching leached by diluted HCl acid, product enriched in residue. The effects temperature, time, ilmenite-to-ammonium mass ratio, particle size, second-stage on iron removal titanium loss efficiency systematically studied. results show that optimum conditions temperature 500 °C, time 210 min, ilmenite-to-(NH4)2SO4 ratio 1:7, size below 43 µm. Under optimized conditions, grade obtained synthetic rutile reached 75.83 wt.%. Furthermore, transformation reaction mechanism during discussed interpreted.