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Acid leaching of ilmenite (FeTi03) obtained from beach sand was found to be more effective when
roasted with ZnO or ZnS at 900 °C. Remarkably higher- iron and titanium leaching rates were observed when
compared with normal ilmenite in 5.0 M HC1 at 30 °C,'and 6.0 M H2SO4 at 110 °C, respectively. Roasting of
ilmenite with ZnO or ZnS converts acid resistant FeTiOj to more reactive Fe20 3 and Zn2Ti04, resulting in
enhanced leaching. Roasting FeTi03 with ZnS generates S02 as a byproduct, which can be used to produce
H2S04 acid required in the sulfate process. Added ZnO or ZnS can be recovered as ZnO, therefore the overall
process acts as a catalytic decomposition of FeTi03. Ores containing ZnS, such as sphalerite, are possible raw
materials instead of ZnS, in a commercial application. XRD analysis confirms the formation of zinc titanate, and
XPS results indicate the presence of both Fe2x/Fe3+ in naturally weathered ilmenite.
