Investigation of the possibilities of extraction of titanium dioxide from primorye ilmenites

Abstract

Titanium is among the most demanded metals by high-tech industries. In Russia, imported raw materials are used for its production. At the same time, a new promising type of gold-ilmenite ores and placers associated with ultrabasite intrusions has been discovered in the south of the Far East. On the example of one of these objects, the Ariadne ore-placer node, the possibilities of creating the foundations of a technology for complex extraction of useful components from titanium-bearing placers using pyro-hydrometallurgy techniques are investigated. The objectives of this study were to improve the technological methods of titanium from ilmenite concentrate using ammonium sulfate. It was found that the reactions of the main components of the concentrate with (NH4)2SO4 begin when the temperature of thermal decomposition (NH4)2SO4 (3000C) is reached and proceed with the formation of a mixture of well-soluble in water double salts - ammonium sulfate and iron compositions (NH4)2Fe2 (SO4)3 and NH4Fe(SO4)2 and ammonium sulfate and titanyl composition (NH4)2TiO(SO4)2. It is shown that an increase in the interaction temperature above 3600C leads to the thermal decomposition of the formed double salts to sulfates and then oxides. The experience gained in deep processing of ilmenite mineral raw materials will help to more reasonably outline ways to develop Far Eastern complex deposits in compliance with the principles of rational nature management and environmental protection. Further research should be carried out in the direction of deepening the degree of processing of gold-titanium sands, which will reduce the cost of obtaining individual products and ensure higher production efficiency.