Characterization of Ilmenite from Kerala Coastline, India:Implications in the Production of Synthetic Rutile

M. Sundararajan, K.H. Bhat, S. Velusamy, N. Babu, M.E.K. Janaki, S. Sasibhooshanan, P.N. Mohan Das

National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, formerly Regional Research Laboratory, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Thiruvananthapuram – 695019, India.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2009.86038                

Abstract

Surface samples have been collected from Kerala coast, Chavakad - Ponnani (CP- central sector), Neendakara – Kayamkulam (NK- southern sector) beach sectors for ilmenite characterization studies. The TiO₂ percentage in samples from NK deposit is greater than that in CP deposit. X-ray diffraction analysis of ilmenite shows characteristic peaks of ilmenite and some altered phases, such as pseudorutile, pseudobrookite, etc. Two ilmenite samples separated from CP and NK deposits were subjected to chemical beneficiation for production of synthetic rutile by a process developed and patented by NIIST. Investigations revealed that ilmenite samples with 32.95% and 56 % TiO₂ could be upgraded to synthetic rutile of 95% TiO₂ content. However, economic viability of upgrading lean ore to synthetic rutile is largely dependent on commercial utilization of large quantities of iron oxide produced as the by product.

Keywords

Ilmenite characterization, synthetic rutile, XRD, SEM, Kerala coast.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	AMD, (2001), Exploration and Research for Atomic Minerals. Special issue on beach and inland heavy mineral sand deposits of India, Vol.13.
[2]	Rama Rao, B.V, (1981), Annual report for the field season 1980- 81.Unpuplished AMD report.
[3]	Prapbhakar Rao, G, (1973), Neendakara- Kayamkulam beach placer deposit estimation of heavy mineral in mining block – I to IV,Chavara. Unpublished AMD report.
[4]	Prapbhakar Rao, G, (1975a), Neendakara- Kayamkulamdeposit, Quilon district, Kerala. Heavy mineral reserve in block – II (Panmana) of KMML Ltd. Unpublished AMD report.
[5]	Ramachandran, M, (1976a). Neendakara- Kayamkulamdeposit, Quilon district, Kerala. Heavy mineral reserve in block – I (Thekkumbhagam) of KMML Ltd. Unpublished AMD report.
[6]	Rama Rao, B.V, (1983), Report on the investigations carried out in chavara area, Quilon district, Kerala (IRE Ltd). Unpublished AMD report.
[7]	Nair NJK, Reghunathan Pillai K, Nalina Kumar S and Suresh Babu DS., (1987), Environmental geomorphic Atlas, Kerala Coastal Zone, Fine Report submitted to Department of Environment,Govt.of India, 113pp.
[8]	Krishnan S, Viswanathan G, and Balachandran K, (2001), Heavy mineral sand deposits of kerala, Exploration Research for Atomic Minerals, Vol.13, pp.111-146.
[9]	Jelks Barksdale, (1966), Titanium its occurrence, chemistry and technology, The Ronald Press Company, New York.
[10]	Agrawal B .C and S P Jain, (1976), A Textbook of metallurgical analysis, Khanna publishers, Delhi.
[11]	Pryor W.A. and Hester N.C. (1969), X-ray diffraction analysis of heavy minerals, J.Sede. Petrol., Vol. 39, pp. 1384-1389.
[12]	Mohan Das P.N, Damodaran A.D, Bhat K.H., S.Velusamy, and S.Sasibhooshanan, (1996), An Improved process for the production of high grade synthetic rutile, Indian Patent No.196947.
[13]	Forst M.T, Grey I.E, Harrowfield IR and Mason K, (1983), The dependence of alumina and silica contents on the alteration of weathered ilmenites from western Australia, Mineral.Mag; 47, pp.201-208.
[14]	Mallik, T. K., V.Vasudevan, P. A.Verghese, and T.Machado. (1987), The Black sand placer deposits of Kerala beach, southwest India. Marine Geology 77: p129–150.
[15]	Murthy, M.V.N., (1969), Zircon. Geological survey of India, Miscellaneous publication 9,236PP.