Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughter. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of introducing one or more reagents into a rotary and/or elongate kiln in which titaniferous material is being treated eg upgraded wherein the reagent(s) is introduced (I) at a plurality of locations along the length of the kiln and/or (II) at or adjacent to a discharge end of the kiln. The reagents may comprise one or more of chlorine-containing compounds, sulphur, sulphur-containing compounds, magnesium compounds, manganese compounds, fluxes and glass-forming reagents, including a borate salt or mineral. The reagent may be mixed with the discharge end coal or introduced separately.

Abstract: A process for facilitating removal of one or more impurities from titaniferous material containing the impurities in a form which is highly soluble in acid. The material is in turn leached with a sulphuric acid solution and with a hydrochloric acid solution in either order. To enhance the susceptibility of the impurities to removal, the hydrochloric acid leach is augmented by one or more of the following: (i) addition of an effective amount of an added chloride salt; (ii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a carbonate salt, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate; and/or (iii) pre-treatment of the titaniferous material with a solution of an effective amount of a hydroxide, preferably an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the removal of iron oxide coatings from zirconiferous material including a first step of heat treating the zirconiferous material at a temperature, not greater than 450.degree. C. and for a period sufficient to activate the coatings for enhanced ease of removal. The product of the first step is thereafter subjected to a leach and/or attritioning treatment.

Abstract: A process for facilitating the removal of impurities e.g. radionuclides, such as uranium and thorium, and/or one or more of their radionuclide daughters, from titaniferous material includes contacting the titaniferous material with one or more reagents at an elevated temperature selected to enhance the accessibility of at least one of the radionuclide daughters in the titaniferous material. The reagent(s) may be a glass forming reagent and is selected to form a phase at the elevated temperature which disperses onto the surfaces of the titaniferous material and incorporates the radionuclides and one or more radionuclide daughters. The titaniferous material may be, e.g., ilmenite, reduced ilmenite, altered ilmenite or synthetic rutile.

Abstract: A process for treating titaniferous material by treating the titaniferous material and a particulant carbonaceous material in a kiln, recovering reduced titaniferous material and particulant char from the kiln and separating the particulant char, recycling the recovered separated char to the kiln in the region of the discharge port by blowing the char entrained in a fluid stream so that the blown char burns in the kiln largely as a flame in the region of the discharge port.