Reduction of Manavalakurichi ilmenite by Activated Charcoal in Presence of Catalyst

Abstract

The reserves of ilmenite are abundant in India; however, it needs to be upgraded to synthetic rutile. The carbothermic reduction is one of the most effective processing methods to produce TiO2. However, it is more energy intensive method as is carried out at high temperature. The present paper studies the carbothermic reduction of Manavalakurichi ilmenite concentrate by charcoal in the presence of sodium carbonate. The sodium carbonate as catalyst has significant effect on kinetics of reduction. It is able to save energy by reducing the reduction temperature for same degree of reduction at high temperature without catalyst. © 2018, The Indian Institute of Metals - IIM.