Effect of Adding Biomass from Palm Kernel Shell on Phase Transformation and Microstructure during Carbothermic Reduction of Ilmenite

This study investigated the effects of adding pulverized biomass from palm kernel shells as a reductant on phase transformation and microstructure during the carbothermic reduction of ilmenite. The ilmenite concentrate was reduced at a temperature range of 1000–1200°C for up to 3 h in an inert atmosphere. The amount of reducing agents used in this study varied between 6 and 10 wt.%. The reduced samples were studied using an X-ray diffractometer and optical microscope to analyze their phase transformations and microstructures. The results revealed that near-complete dissociation of ilmenite was attained when biomass was added up to 8 wt.%. Complete dissociation of ilmenite occurred, and Ti3O5 formed when ilmenite was reduced with 9 wt.% biomass at 1200°C for 2 h. At this point, the microstructural study showed that a significant amount of metallic iron, with an average metallic iron size of 241.5 μm², had formed