Preparation of synthetic rutile from pre-treated ilmenite/Ti-rich slag with phenol and resorcinol leaching solutions

The effect of phenol and resorcinol on hydrochloric acid leaching of Ti-rich slag is investigated. The leaching rate is exponentially proportional to acid and phenol concentrations. Any metal–phenol complexes decomposed by chloride ions should considerably increase the leaching rate by playing a role of active transport. Furthermore, phenols are expected to have a synergistic effect on the hydrochloric acid leaching of metal oxides. The additives such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and ethylene glycol improve the leaching efficiency in a chloride medium. It is observed that resorcinol with ethylene glycol acts as a better additive in the leaching of Ti-rich slag. The results will have significant impact on the production of upgraded feed stock (Synthetic Rutile) from Ti-rich slag.