About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Fundamentals of Sustainable Metallurgy and Processing of Materials
|
| Presentation Title |
Towards decarbonization of the titanium industry via hydrogen plasma smelting reduction |
| Author(s) |
Laura Gabriela Torres Mejia, Ubaid Manzoor, Guangyi Guo, Chris W Bumby, Dierk Raabe , Isnaldi R. Souza Filho |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Laura Gabriela Torres Mejia |
| Abstract Scope |
Surging demand for titanium is accelerating depletion of high-grade ores like rutile, shifting focus to abundant low-grade ilmenite (FeTiO₃). However, conventional ilmenite processing is energy-intensive and carbon-emissive. We present a single-step hydrogen plasma reduction process that directly converts ilmenite concentrates into high-purity iron and a titania-rich compound without fossil fuels or CO₂ emissions. This approach integrates smelting, reduction, and refining in one operation, enabling rapid kinetics and selective impurity removal. Notably, ~80% of silica is removed without separate chemical treatment. The resulting iron is suitable for steelmaking, while the titania-rich product is a CO₂-free precursor for pigment production. This process offers a zero-carbon metallurgical pathway to unlock the full value of low-grade ilmenite and supports sustainable metals production. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Sustainability, Pyrometallurgy, Recycling and Secondary Recovery |