How are electrostatic and magnetic methods used to separate titanium minerals?

In the context of titanium processing, electrostatic and magnetic methods are employed as part of a complex series of separation techniques to isolate valuable minerals from waste material and other gangue minerals after initial gravity concentration.1

• Magnetic Separation: This method relies on the varying degrees of attraction minerals have toward magnetic fields. Because titanium ores often contain iron, high-intensity magnetic separators are utilized to distinguish these minerals from other materials. This process is most effective when the feed particles fall within a specific size range of 0.1 to 1 millimeter.2
• Electrostatic Separation: While specific operational details for titanium are part of a broader industrial sequence, electrostatic separation generally functions by exploiting differences in the electrical conductivity of minerals. By subjecting the mineral stream to an electric field, particles are separated based on their ability to conduct or retain an electrical charge, allowing for the precise refinement of the concentrate.1

These processes are essential for purifying mineral-rich sands, such as ilmenite and rutile, following their extraction via dredging.1