Production of high titania slag by Electro-Slag Crucible Melting (ESCM) process

In this research, ilmenite concentrate of Iran region successfully was smelted by Electro-Slag Crucible Melting (ESCM) process to produce TiO2-rich slag as primary product and pig iron as by-product. Moreover, effects of reductant (carbon) amount and smelting time on TiO2 and FeO content of slag and iron recovery were studied. It is found that addition of carbon excess to stoichiometric amount decreases the iron recovery and TiO2 content in slag. If the smelting time keeps between 0 to 17 min, the TiO2 content and iron recovery will be increased, whereas smelting time in excess of 17 min will cause products decline significantly. At optimum conditions, TiO2 content in slag and the iron recovery are 70 wt.% and 84%, respectively. Kinetic studies proved that the reduction of equivalent FeO was first-order reaction. The studies made by X-ray diffraction analysis showed that formation of the titanium sub-oxides (Ti3O5 and Ti2O3) causes the decrease in iron recovery and TiO2 content.