Titanium Extraction from Perovskite Slag via Sulfuric Acid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for extracting titanium from perovskite in melter slag are energy-intensive and environmentally harmful, requiring high temperatures and hazardous chemicals, and often result in low efficiency and high waste generation.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of sulfuric acid to form titanyl sulfate, followed by hydrolysis and separation to produce titanium dioxide hydrate, along with the recovery of other valuable compounds like aluminium and magnesium sulfates, which reduces energy consumption and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If perovskite is treated by roasting at 1200°C in hydrogen sulphide gas, then titanium can be extracted as titanium oxides, but the process requires high temperatures and uses highly toxic gas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction process by using sulfuric acid solution instead of hydrogen sulphide gas and reducing the temperature from 1200°C to below 100°C. This transforms the extraction mechanism while maintaining titanium recovery efficiency, thereby eliminating the harmful effects of high temperature and toxic gas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sulfuric acid as an intermediary substance to facilitate titanium extraction from perovskite. The sulfuric acid forms titanyl sulfate intermediate compounds that can be easily separated, replacing the need for direct high-temperature roasting with hydrogen sulphide gas
2Loss of substance
If perovskite is reacted with carbon at high temperatures to produce titanium carbide, then titanium can be extracted, but the process is energy intensive and the carbide produced has an extremely high melting point creating handling problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the extraction parameters from high-temperature carbide formation to low-temperature sulfate formation. By using sulfuric acid at temperatures below 100°C, the process avoids the energy-intensive carbide formation step and produces soluble titanyl sulfate that can be easily handled and separated
3Loss of substance
If traditional methods are used to recover valuable constituents from mineral reserves, then extraction can be achieved, but large amounts of energy and hazardous chemicals are required resulting in large waste material and toxic products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the refractory nature of perovskite, which traditionally requires harsh extraction conditions, into an advantage by selectively forming soluble titanyl sulfate compounds. This allows easy separation of titanium from the insoluble calcium sulfate and silica matrix, turning the difficult extraction problem into a simple filtration process that minimizes waste
Solution Approach 2:
Sulfuric acid acts as a selective intermediary that forms soluble titanyl sulfate from perovskite while leaving calcium sulfate and silica as insoluble residues. This intermediary compound enables efficient titanium recovery without requiring the hazardous chemicals and energy-intensive processes of traditional methods
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enhances the efficiency and commercial viability of titanium extraction while minimizing waste and environmental harm by effectively recovering multiple valuable products from titanium-bearing materials.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the titanium-bearing material with sulfuric acid to form a cake comprising at least titanyl sulfate
Implementation Method 2
contacting the cake with water and/or dilute sulfuric acid to form a sulfated suspension comprising at least titanyl sulfate
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to processes for the extraction of products from titanium-bearing materials or a composition produced in a process for the production of titanium dioxide, and more particularly, although not exclusively, extracting titanium dioxide and/or one or more other products from iron making slag.