Microwave-assisted reduction and leaching process of ilmenite

The applications of microwave heating for carbothermic reduction and acid leaching of ilmenite were presented. The experiment results show that the time needed for ilmenite concentrate reduction by microwave heating was shortened to 50% that of the conventional heating. The time of acid leaching by microwave heating is only 60% that by conventional heating. The leaching ratios of Fe and Mg by microwave heating were 1.82 and 57.8 times than that by conventional heating. A novel microwave-assisted process for preparation of titania-rich materials using high level content of CaO and MgO Panzhihua ilmenite was invented.