Reduction of ilmenite with simultaneous lignite gasification in a fluidized bed reactor

An alternative process for the reduction of ilmenite mineral using a low-test reductant (lignite) in a fluidized bed is reported in this paper. An important correlation has been demonstrated experimentally between the concentration of reducing gases (CO and H-2) in the reactor and the ratio of lignite to air feed rates. In order to ensure adequate reducing conditions inside the reactor, the airflow rates, maintained at much less than stoichiometric requirements (for complete combustion) of the fuel, are represented by the air factor. Experiments have been performed in the presence of both an inert (sand) and an active (ilmenite) bed. The evolution of solid-phase transformation with reduction time has been interpreted using the X-ray diffraction method. The presence of magnetic phase enhances the extent of iron removal from the reduced ilmenite by acid leaching.