Abstract
This report presents the conceptual designs and the results of tests on processes used to recover titanium from solid waste. Recoveries of 80 to 88 pct of the titanium in the waste as a concentrate of 94 to 99 pct titanium dioxide were achieved, reducing the amount of final waste effluent to less than 40 pct of current quantities. It was estimated that a 1,000-lb/h plant, with an installed cost of $888,000, would recover about 1,320 tons of titanium minerals a year, representing a revenue of $607,200. Allowing for operating expenses, return on investment would be 28 pct. The technical feasibility of pyrohydrolysis as an alternative final effluent treatment was established. Conceptual designs of pyrohydrolysis pelletization of concentrates, secondary chlorinator, and treatment of currently ponded tailings are presented. Overall treatqent resulting in low quantities of inert, nontoxic, and nondusty final solid waste, reusable titanium mineral concentrates, and maximum recycle of process water is also discussed.
