The reduction of Chinkombe ilmenite with graphite

Abstract

The proportion of the mineral phases in the Chinkombe ilmenite was estimated by point counting under under a Reflected Light Microscope.Reduction experiments were carried out on pellets made from mixtures of the ore and graphite in predetermined proportions, in the temperature range of 1173 to 1373 K. The experiments were conducted in an atmosphere of purified nitrogen gas and the isothermal weight loss sustained by the pellet formed from the mixture was determined and plotted as a function of time.The effects of variables such as temperature, oregraphite ratio in the mixture, ore particle size and the addition of a catalyst were also investigated.The diffusion model f (R) = 1 - 2/3R - (1-R)2/3 , fairly represented the kinetic data found in this investigation and an enthalpy of 482.0 kj/mole (115.3 kcal/mole) was obtained in the temperature range of 1173 to 1373 K.