Preparation of titanium feedstock from Minnesota ilmenite by smelting and sulfation-leaching

The Bureau of Mines smelted and sulfation-leached an ilmenite from northern Minnesota. The objective was to assess the feasibility of preparing chlorination-grade titanium feedstock. The concentrate was smelted with woodchips, coke, and soda ash in 91-kg-and -metric ton (mt)-capacity electric arc furnaces to form Ti-rich slag and commercial-grade pig iron. The final product meets charge specifications for chlorination. However, more large-scale testing is necessary. This report is based upon work performed under a Memorandum of Agreement between NICOR Mineral Ventures and the Bureau of Mines.