Investigation of phase composition of ilmenites and influence of this parameter on thermokinetics of reaction with sulphuric acid

• Published in: Journal of thermal analysis and calorimetry 2012-09, Vol.109 (3), p.1379-1385
• Main Authors: Jablonski, M., Lawniczak-Jablonska, K., Klepka, M. T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Ferroalloys; Hematite; Inorganic Chemistry; Inorganic chemistry and origins of life; Investigations; Measurement Science and Instrumentation; Mineralogy; Mineralogy: general, methodology, regional studies; Miscellaneous; Physical Chemistry; Polymer Sciences; Preparations and properties; Raw materials; Sulfuric acid; Titanium; Titanium products
• ISSN: 1388-6150; 1588-2926; 1572-8943
• DOI: 10.1007/s10973-011-2136-y

Ilmenite is a valuable source of titanium and is applied as the main raw material in the technology of titanium white pigment production. Ilmenite is found in many places in the earth, and its elemental as well as phase compositions very strongly depend on the place of origin. Deposits located in Australia, China, India, and Norway in Europe are well known places where ilmenites are exploited industrially. Main phases that were identified in these ilmenites are ilmenite FeTiO 3 , hematite Fe 2 O 3 , geikielite MgTiO 3 and pseudorutile Fe 2 Ti 3 O 9 . Enstatite MgSiO 3 , MnTiO 3 , and kleberite (determined also as hydroxylian pseudorutile with approximate formula FeTi 3 O 6 (OH) 3 ) are minor phases present in ilmenites. Calorimetric investigations of reactions of these ilmenites with sulphuric acid in standard conditions demonstrated significant differences in the shape of temperature and thermal power curves. On the basis of these investigations, it can be concluded that the shape of the thermal power curve is different for each of ilmenite and can be treated as a fingerprint of their phase composite.