The Reactivity of New Zealand Ilmenites

Abstract

The dissolution of West Coast, South Island, New Zealand ilmenite in acid solutions was studied under a variety of conditions, including concentrations approaching those used industrially. The major dissolution medium considered was hydrochloric acid (1→10 M), at temperatures of 50→80 °C. The series of experiments undertaken souqht to establish the factors affecting the reactivity of the ilmenite samples. Concentrations of dissolved components of the ilmenite were followed by Atomic Absorption spectrometry and the structure and composition of the residual ilmenite was examined by X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, electron microprobe and scanning electron microscopy. Evidence for the rapid dissolution of an iron-rich surface phase was observed, but the dominant feature of early reaction is selective attack along zones parallel to the basal plane of the ilmenite structure. After the initial phase of rapid dissolution, reaction rate declines and all extended period of concentration/time linearity follows. This decline in rate appears to relate to polymerisation and. transport of dissolved titanium within the porous solid. The addition of phosphate and fluoride to the system, has been shown to seriously affect the properties and transport of dissolved titanium. The effects of other interfering reagents such as additional titanium and iron were also considered. The observed behaviour of these ilmenites in dissolution, was related to the pattern of natural weathering identified in other ilmenite concentrates The structure and composition of a range of these materials was examined by X-ray diffraction, Electron microprobe and Mössbauer spectroscopy.