LEACHING OF ILMENITE IN HCL-H2O, HCL-CH3OH-H2O AND HCL-CH3OH SOLUTIONS

The leaching of Tellness (Norway) ilmenite concentrate in HClH2O, HClCH3OHH2O and HClCH3OH solutions at 3 M HCl concentration was studied at temperatures between 25° C and 65° C. It was observed that HClCH3OH showed a better dissolution of iron in ilmenite compared to HClH2O and HClCH3OHH2O solutions. This was attributed to the stabilisation of dissolved titanium ions in solution by the HClCH3OH system which in turn prevents the hydrolysis and the polymerisation of titanium species. The experimental results also show that the HClCH3OH solution is comparable to the HClH2O solution, at 65° C and for a leaching time ≥ 4 h, in the dissolution of magnesium which is the major impurity in ilmenite. © 1990.