Production of high titania slag by Electro-Slag Crucible Melting (ESCM) process

摘要

In this research, ilmenite concentrate of Iran region successfully was smelted by Electro-Slag Crucible Melting (ESCM) process to produce TiO_2-rich slag as primary product and pig iron as by-product. Moreover, effects of reductant (carbon) amount and smelting time on TiO_2 and FeO content of slag and iron recovery were studied. It is found that addition of carbon excess to stoichiometric amount decreases the iron recovery and TiO_2 content in slag. If the smelting time keeps between 0 to 17 min, the TiO_2 content and iron recovery will be increased, whereas smelting time in excess of 17 min will cause products decline significantly. At optimum conditions, TiO_2 content in slag and the iron recovery are 70 wt. percent and 84 percent, respectively. Kinetic studies proved that the reduction of equivalent FeO was first-order reaction. The studies made by X-ray diffraction analysis showed that formation of the titanium sub-oxides (Ti_3O_5 and Ti_2O_3) causes the decrease in iron recovery and TiO_2 content.