Recovery and utilization of wash water solids generated during ilmenite leaching operation

Abstract

The solid content in the spent wash water generated during leaching operations in chloride process for the production of TiO₂ pigment is not recovered and considered waste. A method is proposed for the recovery of the solids and enrichment of titanium values in these solids. The composition of the recovered and enriched solids is determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy and other analytical techniques. The samples are characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope. (SEM). The pigmentary qualities of the recovered material are studied in enamel paint formulations and compared against commercial rutile TiO₂ pigment. Partial replacement of the TiO₂ pigment with the recovered material has not made any significant impact on the various characteristics studied and approached the commercial rutile TiO₂ pigment standards. Also partial replacement realizes a TiO₂ saving in enamel paint formulations.