Isothermal kinetics of carbothermic reduction of ilmenite concentrate
with the addition of sodium carbonate
Abstract
The isothermal kinetics of carbothermic reduction of low grade ilmenite
concentrate with the addition of sodium carbonate which was regarded as
a novel process to obtain high quality UGS slag used for chlorination
process through the semi-molten states was studied. The results showed
that the addition of Na2CO3 can reduce the start temperature of the
reaction and promote the reduction, which is benefit to improve the
reaction kinetic by enhancing the carbon gasification reaction. The
metal iron produced during the reaction was more likely to migrate and
grow with the formation of the molten phase. With the increase of sodium
carbonate, the reduction process of ilmenite concentrate is gradually
changed from controlled by interfacial chemical reaction to controlled
by diffusion. When the amount of sodium carbonate was 0%, 3% and 6%,
the apparent activation energies were 105.01, 112.07 and 123.48 kJ/mol,
respectively.