Sulphatisation and Sulphidisation for Hydrometallurgical Extraction of Main Constituents of a Local Ilmenate ore

Abstract

Ilmenite ores occur in UAR in big quantities,consti- tuting two main reserves, at Abu Glalaga (AG)in the South-Eastern Desert, and on the shores of the Nile Delta in Rosetta and El-Ardsh. AG ilmenite occur's in the form of lenticular, vein--hike bodies intimately associated with metagabbro. The Chief lens is about 300 m long, 150 m wide, and 45 to 100 m thick. Several investigators have studied the leachabilities of titan- ium bearing materials after being sulphatised or sulphidised. A common practice frequently utilised with ilmenite ores involves sulphatisation with H2SO4 through batch or continuous digestion. Thefactors influencing the breaking down of the ore, including acid concentration, temperature, particle size and catalysts, have been investigated. Other sulphatisitng agents were also used; particularly ammonium and sodium sulphates.