Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Increasing basicity decreases TiO2 and SiO2 activities in slag but increases V2O3 and Cr2O3 activities, affecting elemental distribution. • Higher basicity improves recovery efficiencies of vanadium and titanium, but reduces distribution ratios for Ti and Si. • Primary slag phases are anosovite, diopside, and titanium spinel; perovskite formation is suppressed when basicity exceeds 0.8. • Optimal basicity for smelting is ≤0.8 to avoid perovskite phase and ensure efficient slag-iron separation.
Abstract
The phase composition at the slag−iron interface and the distribution behavior of titanium, vanadium, chromium and silicon between hot metal and Ti-bearing electric furnace slag were thoroughly explored. The basicity range for the anosovite phase region was defined by using a phase diagram and a minimum smelting temperature was set at 1540 °C. Thermodynamic calculations demonstrate that the activities of TiO2 and SiO2 in the slag decrease with increasing basicity, while those of V2O3 and Cr2O3 increase. Similarly, the activities of [Ti] and [Si] in the molten metal decrease, while those of [V] and [Cr] rise with increasing basicity. As basicity increases, the distribution ratios, LTi and LSi decrease, whereas LV and LCr increase. Significantly, the recovery efficiencies of vanadium and titanium are improved with higher basicity. The primary phases identified in the slag include anosovite, diopside, and titanium spinel. However, when the basicity exceeds 0.8, the formation of the perovskite phase becomes less favorable, suggesting that basicity should be maintained at or below 0.8.
1. Introduction
Titanium is a strategically vital resource extensively used in marine engineering, aerospace, defense, military, biomedical, and other core high-tech sectors [1,2]. As China’s economy rapidly grows and its national defense strengthens, the demand for titanium continues to rise. Despite China’s abundant vanadium titanomagnetite resources, the development and utilization of titanium from these resource remains low, leading to the necessity of importing of titanium [3]. Hence, enhancing the comprehensive utilization of vanadium titanomagnetite, particularly its titanium content, is crucial for economic development and national defense in China.
Currently, beneficiation processes in the Panxi region yield a vanadium titanomagnetite concentrate containing approximately 52% titanium and 89% vanadium [4,5]. Efficient extraction of iron, vanadium, and titanium from this concentrate is essential for the full utilization of these resources in China. Various methods have been proposed to increase the titanium recovery rate and optimize the comprehensive utilization of the vanadium titanomagnetite ore. However, only the blast furnace and direct reduction-electric furnace process have been commercialized, while other methods are still under development [6,7]. Both process extract iron and vanadium, but the valuable titanium resources in the slags cannot be economically recovered due to the low TiO2 contents. Over-reduction of titanium oxides results in titanium carbide or titanium carbonitride formation, which increases slag viscosity and complicates the separation of iron from slag [8−12]. Regardless of the method used, the separation of vanadium titanomagnetite smelting slag from iron is critical, and controlling the reduction behavior of elements is essential for efficient smelting and separation.
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Jian-fa JING, Yu-feng GUO, Shuai WANG, Feng CHEN, Ling-zhi YANG, Guan-zhou QIU (2025). Phase composition of slag−iron interface and elemental distribution behavior between hot metal and Ti-bearing electric furnace slags. SinoTechIntel Verified Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1003-6326(25)67033-6
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the optimal basicity for Ti-bearing electric furnace slag smelting?
The optimal basicity should be maintained at or below 0.8 to avoid the formation of perovskite phase, which is less favorable at higher basicity.
How does basicity affect the distribution of titanium and vanadium between hot metal and slag?
Increasing basicity decreases the distribution ratios of titanium (LTi) and silicon (LSi), while increasing those of vanadium (LV) and chromium (LCr). This leads to improved recovery efficiencies for vanadium and titanium.
What are the primary phases identified in the slag?
The primary phases identified in the slag include anosovite, diopside, and titanium spinel.
What is the minimum smelting temperature recommended in the study?
The minimum smelting temperature was set at 1540 °C to define the anosovite phase region.
Why is the separation of slag and iron critical in vanadium titanomagnetite smelting?
Separation is critical because over-reduction of titanium oxides can form titanium carbide or carbonitride, increasing slag viscosity and complicating the separation process, thus affecting overall efficiency.
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