Recovery of Fine Ilmenite Particles from Beach Sand by Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Abstract

In this fundamental study on the recovery of fine mineral particles by liquid-liquid extraction, the concentration of fine ilmenite particles at the iso-octane/water interface has been investigated using surfactants under different pH. Sodium oleate, sodium laurylbenzenesulfonate and stearylammonium acetate were used as surfactants to control the wettability of ilmente particles and to stabilize the iso-octane/water emulsion system in the extraction process. It was found that one hundred percent recovery of the ilmenite was obtained with the optimum pH and surfactant addition regardless of the surfactant used in this study. The distribution of neutral oleate and amine molecules between the aqueous and organic phases was examined by colorimetry. A good correlation was observed between ilmenite recovery and the concentration distribution of surfactant species.