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Value Addition to Ilmenite Using Carbonized Waste Coconut Shells: a Mechanochemical Approach Aided with Powdered Seashells as a Rate Raiser

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Abstract

The value addition potential of ilmenite was examined using several characterization techniques. Raw ilmenite is composed of 93.65 wt.% of FeOTiO2, 3.55 wt.% of SiO2, 1.22 wt.% of Al2O3, and the remainder being other minor oxides. Ilmenite and powdered carbonized coconut shells were mixed in the weight ratio of 4:1. A separate fraction of the same mixture was added with powdered seashells in the weight ratio of 4:1:0.5. Six fractions of each mixture were distinctly milled from 1 to 6 h in a planetary ball mill. XRD spectra (broadened and diminished reflections of ilmenite) and FTIR observations (Ti―O―C bonding) of milled samples indicate the possible incorporation of carbon into the ilmenite structure. Any clues of an occurrence of new rutile peaks were not observed in XRD spectra of milled samples. Consequently, the carbothermic reduction has not been initiated during mechanical activation. In this case, samples powdered for 6 h in a mill were isothermally annealed for 2 h under normal airflow at temperatures of 800 °C, 1000 °C, and 1200 °C, respectively. According to the X-ray diffractograms, the annealing temperatures of 1000 °C and 1200 °C exhibited almost similar trends with rutile (R), pseudobrookite (PB) and elemental iron (F), and a very few ilmenite (I) peaks. Consequently, 6 h of milling and 1000 °C annealing were concluded as the optimum conditions for the carbothermic reduction. Moreover, this study indicated seashells as a potential rate raiser for the carbothermic reduction of ilmenite at 800 °C. Therefore, this process is applicable to upgrade ilmenite into a mixture of synthetic rutile and elemental iron.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Lanka Mineral Sands Limited, Pulmoddai for providing ilmenite samples and necessary information. We also wish to extend our gratitude to M.D. Nilantha, Sandun Wijerama, and Pradeep Ranathunga for assisting in geochemical laboratory work at Uva Wellassa University, Sri Lanka.

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial assistance for this study by an Accelerating Higher Education Expansion and Development (AHEAD) Development Oriented Research (DOR) grant funded by the World Bank to the corresponding author.

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  1. Department of Applied Earth Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Uva Wellassa University, Passara Road, Badulla, 90000, Sri Lanka

    T. Dilmi. U. Wijewardhana, H. C. S. Subasinghe & Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake

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Contributions

Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake obtained the research grant for this project, conceived of the presented idea, designed the theory of the project, verified the analytical methods, and supervised other authors. T. Dilmi U. Wijewardhana, and H.C.S. Subasinghe carried out the experiments, performed the experimental calculations, produced maps, and interpreted the results. All authors analyzed and discussed results, provided critical feedback, and contributed to the final manuscript. All authors wrote, read, and approved the final manuscript.

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Wijewardhana, T.D.U., Subasinghe, H.C.S. & Ratnayake, A.S. Value Addition to Ilmenite Using Carbonized Waste Coconut Shells: a Mechanochemical Approach Aided with Powdered Seashells as a Rate Raiser. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 38, 1573–1587 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-021-00420-z

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