Solid state reduction of Panzhihua titanomagnetite concentrates with pulverized coal

Titanomagnetite concentrates and pre-oxidized titanomagnetite concentrates were reduced isothermally at 1000-1200 degrees C by pulverized coal. XRD, SEM and EDS were used to characterize the samples. The influence of reduction conditions on the metallization degree of the samples, such as reduction temperature, C/Fe molar ratio, pre-oxidation and additives were studied. It was found that the pre-oxidation and additives played a considerable role in the metallization degree of titanomagnetite concentrates. During the pre-oxidation of titanomagnetite concentrates in air, the magnetite was oxidized to hematite and ilmenite was oxidized to hematite-ilmenite solid solution, hematite and TiO2. The pre-oxidation destroyed the crystal lattice of raw titanomagnetite concentrates and formed pores in the particles, which accelerated the reduction process. The effect of different additives on the metallization degree of pre-oxidized titanomagnetite concentrates was also discussed. The results show that when 1.5 wt.% Na2CO3 is used as an additive, the metallization degree of pre-oxidized titanomagnetite concentrates reaches 96.4%, after heating for 1 h at 1200 degrees C. The final reduced sample was composed of metallic iron, pseudobrookite solid solution and TiO2. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.