THERMAL PLASMA SMELTING OF INDIAN ILMENITE

Studies on thermal plasma synthesis of calcium titanate slag by plasma smelting of ilmenite (Chhatrapur, India) is reported. The effect of f lux on removal of iron and metal-slag separation was also studied. A s lag rich in calcium titanate with metallic iron as a byproduct was obt ained in this process. These were characterized by bulk chemical analy sis, optical microscopic studies, X-ray diffraction, electron probe mi croanalysis, and is reported here. Preliminary experimental results on use of this slag reveals that the same can be used for preparation of titanium carbide, an intermediate raw material for production of tita nium tetrachloride.