REDUCTION OF ILMENITE BY CARBON-MONOXIDE

The kinetics of the reduction of iron oxide in ilmenite (FeTiO//3) by carbon monoxide were investigated in the temperature range 500-1100 degree C. Both the rate and the degree of reduction increased linearly with increasing temperature up to approx. 1000 degree C. The addition of magnesium oxide, manganese oxide, calcium oxide or silicon dioxide lowered the reduction rate of the iron oxide. Preoxidation of the ilmenite in the temperature range 700-800 degree C yielded the highest reduction degree due to the formation of pseudobrookite (Fe//2TiO//5). When the ilmenite was sintered in argon, pseudobrookite was not present and there was a linear relationship between sintering temperature and reduction degree. The results obtained are explained in terms of the physical and chemical changes which occur during the sintering or reduction processes. The factors affecting carbon deposition on the iron during reduction are also described.