PROCESSING: Innovations in place in preparation for plant design

MONTREAL: Argex Titanium Inc., a producer of high-grade titanium dioxide (TiO2), has just announced that it has completed work at its Valleyfield Technology Centre confirming key hydrometallurgical process innovations for the production of pigment grade TiO2.

The Argex hydrometallurgical process is based on the development of a fully integrated process, including chloride leaching of the feedstock, solvent extraction – separation and purification of iron and titanium compounds, hydrochloric acid recovery, iron chloride by-product recovery and the conversion of titanium to market grade TiO2. 

Argex has put in place a technical team and a project execution plan to minimize technical risk, maximize commercial viability, and provide the link for a proper technology transfer from the process technology to the design of a commercial production facility. 

A six month Process Intensification Program has been planned to help assure "commercial readiness" of the hydrometallurgical process technology. After three months into the Process Intensification Program, the company plans to launch Front-End Engineering Design (FEED/FEL3) work and the purchase of long delivery process equipment that will lead to plant design and construction.