Carbothermic reduction of ilmenite using non-carbonized biomass from palm kernel shell

Abstract

This study aims to utilize non-carbonized palm kernel shell biomass (PKS–B) as reductor in carbothermic reduction of ilmenite (FeTiO₃), comparing its effectiveness to that of activated biomass (PKS-BA). The thermodynamic assessment predicted the iron (Fe) formation with addition of PKS-B at 700 °C. The experimental results indicated that PKS-B could reduce ilmenite to Fe, Fe₂TiO₅, and TiO₂ at 1000 °C, achieving a metallization degree (MD) was 70.9 ± 0.7 %. However, the ilmenite phase remained at 1000 °C by PKS-B. Complete reduction of ilmenite was observed at 1200 °C, resulting in MD was 98.6 ± 0.7 % and 96.6 ± 0.7 % for PKS-B and PKS-BA, respectively.