PRODUCTION OF IRON AND HIGH PURITY TITANIUM SLAG FROM IRON SAND OR TITANOMAGNETITE CONCENTRATE: LITERATURE REVIEW

• Main Author: Fitri, Safira
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/54526
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Iron sand or titanomagnetite are found in the coastal areas of Indonesia from Aceh to the northern coast of Papua. The precious metals such as iron, titanium and vanadium has not been utilized properly because there is no processing and refining plant (smelter) in Indonesia that is capable of processing iron sand into a final product with high added value. Domestic companies just turn iron sand into concentrate. This literature review is prepared with high expectation that it will be one of the first steps in the development of processing and refining technology for iron sand in Indonesia. The literature review begins with collecting information from various sources by considering the accuracy of these sources. Information is compiled based on the process flow, operating parameters, recovery and product content. Reduction mechanism that occurs is also described further. Literature review shows that iron sand or titanomagnetite has been treated either using rotary kiln - electric furnace or blast furnace technology. Research continues to develop towards direct reduction technology because of its promising possibility to produce high grade titanium slag. Therefore, parameters that influence the direct reduction technology are further compared which include the effect of the reactor, reducing agent, preoxidation treatment, process temperature, and additives. Comparison by reactor type shows that rotary kiln or rotary hearth furnace can be used as a reactor for direct reduction of iron sand in Indonesia. Bituminous coal as reductant should be considered because of their availability in Indonesia and their ability to produce products with high iron recovery. Pre-oxidation treatment can also be done to increase iron recovery of final product. The higher the reduction temperature, the higher the iron recovery. The addition of additives such as Na2C2O4, Na2CO3 and CaCO3 can be beneficial in the reduction of iron sand. Direct reduction products can be melted in an electric furnace to produce molten pig iron and can be separated from titanium slag. Furthermore, the molten pig iron gets into the vanadium separation process and the steel-making process by blowing oxygen.