Catalytic removal of iron from reduced ilmenite

Investigations carried out to accelerate the rusting of reduced ilmenite sh ow that the addition of small quantities of carbonyl compounds such as glyo xal, glucose and sucrose with NH4Cl considerably. increases the efficiency of the reaction and the reaction rate resulting in completion of oxidation in less rime. The compounds are oxidised to corresponding acids during the process. Effects of various factors such as pH, dissolved oxygen temperatur e and concentration on the reaction have been investigated and the activati on energies have been calculated. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.