Ilmenite is an important titanium resource ore, widely present around the world. The development and utilization of ilmenite is crucial for the effective utilization of titanium resources and the development of related industries. The effective process and equipment application for the beneficiation of ilmenite is the key to ensuring the purification of ore and the extraction of metallic elements such as titanium.
The main component of ilmenite is titanate minerals, which usually contain components such as titanium dioxide (TiO2), iron oxide (Fe2O3), and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Ilmenite often exists in the form of veins, blocks, or particles, and its physical and chemical properties vary depending on the geological environment and ore source. When beneficiating ilmenite, it is necessary to fully consider its composition and property characteristics to determine the suitable beneficiation process and equipment.
a. Flotation method
Flotation method is one of the commonly used beneficiation methods for ilmenite, which utilizes the density and surface properties differences between minerals to separate the target minerals by floating them onto the surface of the slurry through bubbles. In the flotation process of ilmenite, the commonly used reagents include collectors, foam agents and regulators. Among them, the collector is used to enhance the floatability of target minerals, the foam agent is used to generate foam to bring target minerals to the pulp surface, and the regulator is used to adjust the PH value and surface charge of the pulp to control the flotation behavior of minerals.
b. Magnetic separation method
Magnetic separation is another commonly used method for beneficiation of ilmenite, which is suitable for separating magnetic minerals from non-magnetic minerals. Ilmenite often contains ferromagnetic minerals, such as iron ore. By utilizing the magnetic field of a magnetic separator, ferromagnetic minerals can be separated from the ore, thereby improving its grade.
c. Reselection method
The reselection method is a method of sorting based on the density differences of different minerals in the ore, which is suitable for minerals with significant density differences in the ore. By using re selection equipment such as heavy medium sorting machines, spiral sorting machines, etc., the ore is classified into different levels according to density, thereby achieving the purification and separation of the ore.
a. Flotation machine
Flotation machine is one of the core equipment in flotation beneficiation, including air flotation machine, mechanical stirring flotation machine, etc. The flotation machine can generate bubbles, adsorb the target minerals on the surface of the bubbles, and separate the target minerals from the pulp with the rise of the foam.
b. Magnetic separator
Magnetic separators are key equipment in magnetic separation for mineral processing, including wet magnetic separators, dry magnetic separators, etc. The magnetic separator generates a magnetic field to attract ferromagnetic minerals, thereby achieving separation from non-magnetic minerals.
c. Heavy medium sorting machine
The heavy medium separator is one of the main equipment in the gravity separation method for ore dressing. It divides the ore into different density levels based on the density difference of the medium, and is suitable for separating and purifying minerals with significant density differences in the ore.
d.Case study of ilmenite beneficiation
A certain ilmenite project undertaken by Xinhai Mining Equipment was successfully extracted with high-grade ilmenite concentrate through flotation treatment after ore dressing experiments. The foam produced by the flotation machine adsorbs ilmenite on the surface of the foam, thus realizing the separation from other impurity minerals. Finally, a high-grade ilmenite concentrate was obtained, laying the foundation for subsequent purification and processing.
The continuous development and application of beneficiation technology and equipment for ilmenite provide important guarantees for the effective development of titanium resources. Different process methods and equipment combinations can be flexibly selected based on ore characteristics and beneficiation requirements to achieve efficient extraction and processing of ilmenite. In the field of ilmenite beneficiation, continuous technical research and equipment improvement are needed to cope with the increasingly complex demands of ore mining and processing, and promote the healthy development of the industry.
