Ilmenite production from heavy mineral sands

The ilmenite production from heavy mineral sands exclusively utilizes a physical separation method using magnetic separation, gravity concentration and electrostatic separation. Flotation is practiced mainly for beneficiation of fine mineral sands containing rutile, ilmenite and zircon. The ilmenite that is produced in a number of operations in Western Australia, India and the USA is high in chromium, which makes the ilmenite unusable. This section discusses a new process that was developed for chromium removal from ilmenite concentrates. 

The enrichment of ilmenite in beach sand in existing or fossil coastlines is important for 1102 production. The action of surf, currents, and/or wind results in concentration of the ilmenite and other heavy minerals such as rutile, zircon, monazite, and other silicates in the dunes or beaches. This concentration process frequently leads to layering of the minerals. Attack by seawater and air over geological periods of time leads to corrosion of the ilmenite. Iron is removed from the ilmenite lattice, resulting in emichment of the Ti02 in the remaining material. The lattice is stable... 

Ilmenite. Ferrous titanate, Fe0.Ti02 m.p. 1365°C. This mineral is the principal constituent of the heavy minerals in the beach sands of Australia and elsewhere it is thus the chief source of titania, which is used in the ceramic industry as an opaciher and as a constituent of some ceramic dielectrics. Image Furnace. Apparatus for the production of a very high temperature in a small space by focusing the radiation from the sun (solar furnace) or from an electric arc (arc-image furnace) by means of mirrors and/or lenses. Such furnaces have been used for the... 

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