Processing of titanomagnetite concentrate with a hydrochloric extract of n-octanol

• A complex of physical-chemical studies of the starting product has been performed.
• Interaction of titanomagnetite with non-aqueous solvents has been explored.
• Optimal conditions for non-aqueous decomposition of concentrate were determined.
• Kinetics of concentrate dissolution in aqueous and non-aqueous media was compared.

The study is concerned with optimizing of some procedures of titanomagnetite concentrate (TMC) decomposition with a non-aqueous solvent, prepared from n-octanol saturated with hydrochloric acid, by applying the factorial experimental design. The factors, essential for TMC decomposition, were found to be the concentration of hydrochloric acid in extract, process temperature, and the volume ratio of reacting phases. Comparison of the decomposition thermodynamics in aqueous and non-aqueous media has shown that the latter approach required one-fifth as much of activation energy. By employing the solvent decomposition it is possible to eliminate several process stages and diminish the consumption of both the process time, power, and mineral acid.

A schematic flow sheet of solvometallurgical processing of TMC using non-aqueous solvent.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide