WO2023275346A2 - Extraction de lithium mica - Google Patents
Extraction de lithium mica Download PDFInfo
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- WO2023275346A2 WO2023275346A2 PCT/EP2022/068230 EP2022068230W WO2023275346A2 WO 2023275346 A2 WO2023275346 A2 WO 2023275346A2 EP 2022068230 W EP2022068230 W EP 2022068230W WO 2023275346 A2 WO2023275346 A2 WO 2023275346A2
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- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- lithium
- mica
- calcium carbonate
- gypsum
- mixture
- Prior art date
Links
- 229910052744 lithium Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 120
- WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Lithium Chemical compound [Li] WHXSMMKQMYFTQS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 119
- 229910052618 mica group Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 79
- 239000010445 mica Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 68
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 title description 13
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 60
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 55
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 238000001354 calcination Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- INHCSSUBVCNVSK-UHFFFAOYSA-L lithium sulfate Chemical compound [Li+].[Li+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O INHCSSUBVCNVSK-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 claims abstract description 40
- 229910000019 calcium carbonate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 239000010440 gypsum Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 229910052602 gypsum Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 239000011833 salt mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 39
- 238000002386 leaching Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- -1 sulphate salt Chemical class 0.000 claims description 14
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 229910021653 sulphate ion Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 10
- 235000019738 Limestone Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000006028 limestone Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000003801 milling Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 238000000227 grinding Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 102000011045 Chloride Channels Human genes 0.000 claims description 3
- 108010062745 Chloride Channels Proteins 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003002 pH adjusting agent Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 33
- AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium dihydroxide Chemical compound [OH-].[OH-].[Ca+2] AXCZMVOFGPJBDE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 15
- 239000000920 calcium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 15
- 235000011116 calcium hydroxide Nutrition 0.000 description 15
- 229910001861 calcium hydroxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 15
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 15
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 14
- OSGAYBCDTDRGGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium sulfate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O OSGAYBCDTDRGGQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 10
- YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorine atom Chemical compound [F] YCKRFDGAMUMZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000011737 fluorine Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229910052731 fluorine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 7
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 6
- KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fluorane Chemical compound F KRHYYFGTRYWZRS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- CNLWCVNCHLKFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum;lithium;dioxido(oxo)silane Chemical compound [Li+].[Al+3].[O-][Si]([O-])=O.[O-][Si]([O-])=O CNLWCVNCHLKFHK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 5
- 239000001175 calcium sulphate Substances 0.000 description 5
- 235000011132 calcium sulphate Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 150000005323 carbonate salts Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 229910003002 lithium salt Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 159000000002 lithium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 235000010755 mineral Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 5
- 229910052642 spodumene Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 150000003467 sulfuric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 4
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000003153 chemical reaction reagent Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 3
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 3
- 239000005995 Aluminium silicate Substances 0.000 description 2
- QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfuric acid Chemical compound OS(O)(=O)=O QAOWNCQODCNURD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PZZYQPZGQPZBDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium silicate Chemical compound O=[Al]O[Si](=O)O[Al]=O PZZYQPZGQPZBDN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910000323 aluminium silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 235000012211 aluminium silicate Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000011575 calcium Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000292 calcium oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Inorganic materials [Ca]=O ODINCKMPIJJUCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000004907 flux Effects 0.000 description 2
- SGWCNDDOFLBOQV-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxidanium;fluoride Chemical compound O.F SGWCNDDOFLBOQV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OTYBMLCTZGSZBG-UHFFFAOYSA-L potassium sulfate Chemical compound [K+].[K+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O OTYBMLCTZGSZBG-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 229910052939 potassium sulfate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000001120 potassium sulphate Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000011151 potassium sulphates Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005245 sintering Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001117 sulphuric acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000011149 sulphuric acid Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Calcium Chemical compound [Ca] OYPRJOBELJOOCE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000502 Li-aluminosilicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Potassium Chemical compound [K] ZLMJMSJWJFRBEC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- DYPHJEMAXTWPFB-UHFFFAOYSA-N [K].[Fe] Chemical compound [K].[Fe] DYPHJEMAXTWPFB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- UYAMTCYYYXBOSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N [K].[Li].[Fe] Chemical compound [K].[Li].[Fe] UYAMTCYYYXBOSY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JFBZPFYRPYOZCQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N [Li].[Al] Chemical compound [Li].[Al] JFBZPFYRPYOZCQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000006227 byproduct Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052791 calcium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L calcium difluoride Chemical compound [F-].[F-].[Ca+2] WUKWITHWXAAZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N calcium oxide Chemical compound [O-2].[Ca+2] BRPQOXSCLDDYGP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 159000000007 calcium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000015556 catabolic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004090 dissolution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010433 feldspar Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000706 filtrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010436 fluorite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009472 formulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010438 granite Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000036541 health Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M hydroxide Chemical compound [OH-] XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 238000007654 immersion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012535 impurity Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052610 inosilicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000002641 lithium Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- OBTSLRFPKIKXSZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N lithium potassium Chemical compound [Li].[K] OBTSLRFPKIKXSZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 1
- QPJSUIGXIBEQAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-(2,4-dichloro-5-propan-2-yloxyphenyl)acetamide Chemical compound CC(C)OC1=CC(NC(C)=O)=C(Cl)C=C1Cl QPJSUIGXIBEQAC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010979 pH adjustment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011591 potassium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052700 potassium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000011085 pressure filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000746 purification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910052611 pyroxene Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010453 quartz Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N silicon dioxide Inorganic materials O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000006104 solid solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003828 vacuum filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01D—COMPOUNDS OF ALKALI METALS, i.e. LITHIUM, SODIUM, POTASSIUM, RUBIDIUM, CAESIUM, OR FRANCIUM
- C01D15/00—Lithium compounds
- C01D15/06—Sulfates; Sulfites
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
- C22B1/02—Roasting processes
- C22B1/06—Sulfating roasting
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B33/00—Silicon; Compounds thereof
- C01B33/20—Silicates
- C01B33/36—Silicates having base-exchange properties but not having molecular sieve properties
- C01B33/38—Layered base-exchange silicates, e.g. clays, micas or alkali metal silicates of kenyaite or magadiite type
- C01B33/42—Micas ; Interstratified clay-mica products
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
- C22B1/02—Roasting processes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B26/00—Obtaining alkali, alkaline earth metals or magnesium
- C22B26/10—Obtaining alkali metals
- C22B26/12—Obtaining lithium
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B3/00—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes
- C22B3/04—Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a process for the mobilisation of lithium from lithium micas by calcination and neutral pH aqueous leaching to form a leach solution enriched in lithium.
- Lithium micas present an important source of lithium that is likely to grow in significance as the demand for lithium is expected to increase considerably in light of a worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions.
- Lithium from salar brines requires pumping and evaporation of vast quantities of water to extract and concentrate brines before impurity removal to produce a final lithium salt product.
- Spodumene a lithium-bearing pyroxene mineral, is mined from hard rock deposits and typically requires high temperature roasting at approximately 1,000°C and acid leaching to produce a lithium-enriched brine or pregnant leach solution that is then purified to obtain a final lithium salt product.
- Lithium micas could be an alternative hard rock source of lithium, but these have never been exploited commercially. These lithium micas occur within granites in Europe and elsewhere, and contain gangue minerals, principally quartz and feldspar. Exploiting these deposits commercially requires formulation of economic and environmentally sustainable methods for extraction of lithium salts of acceptable quality from these micas.
- Lithium micas are structurally classed as tri-octahedral micas and can exist in a solution series whose end members are polylithionite (KLi 2 AISi40io(F,OH) 2 ; potassium lithium aluminium silicate fluorite hydroxide) and siderophyllite (KFe 2 AI(Al 2 Si 2 )Oio(F,OH) 2 ; potassium iron aluminium silicate hydroxide fluoride) .
- Zinnwaldite KLiFeAI(AISi 3 )Oio(OH,F) 2 ; potassium lithium iron aluminium silicate hydroxide fluoride
- Zinnwaldite is one such example of a mica that forms part of this solid solution series.
- lithium micas contain a wider range of elements than spodumene, the conventional hard rock source of lithium, which is LiA ShOe) (lithium aluminium inosilicate) and they are consequently less rich in lithium than spodumene.
- LiA ShOe lithium aluminium inosilicate
- the lower Li content and more complex mineralogy of lithium micas compared to spodumene gives rise to the need for an extraction process to generate brine from lithium-mica minerals that affords improved recovery of lithium at a lower cost and environmental impact through reduced and more targeted use of reagents and more optimised roasting conditions, bringing fewer contaminants into solution.
- One known method for the extraction of Li from micas relies on elevated temperature leaching of micas in sulphuric acid, either at atmospheric pressure or in an autoclave or other device to increase pressure. This method does not rely on calcining in the presence of a sulphate salt, instead relying on the sulphuric acid, heated to a temperature in excess of 90 °C, to act as the lixiviant which results in a significant environmental burden in the form of acidified waste streams.
- the present invention provides a process for recovering lithium from lithium mica, the process comprising: mixing lithium mica with gypsum and calcium carbonate (CaCC ) to provide a lithium mica concentrate-salt mixture; and calcining the lithium mica salt mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to provide a calcined lithium sulphate containing product.
- CaCC calcium carbonate
- the lithium mica may, in one or more embodiments, be a product of beneficiation.
- the process is preferably free from hydrated lime.
- the predetermined temperature of the calcining step is preferably in the range of between 750°C and about 1100°C, preferably between 800°C and 1100°C, preferably between 800°C and lOOCrC.
- the predetermined time for the calcining step is preferably between 15 and 120 minutes.
- the process of the present invention eliminates a step within the conventional lithium extraction process.
- the process of the present invention is therefore free of milling, grinding or crushing of the mica prior to calcining.
- the increased surface area of the calcined lithium sulphate containing product increases the leaching recovery rate of the product.
- the present invention provides a process for the extraction of lithium from mica with a reduced number of associated steps, reduced energy requirements, reduced associated labour and cost implications, and reduced carbon footprint whilst providing improved lithium recovery compared to conventional processes.
- the sulphate salt(s) present within the gypsum is preferably present within the mixture such that the total sulphate salt(s) concentration is in a stoichiometric excess compared to the concentration of lithium within the lithium mica.
- the calcium carbonate is preferably provided in the form of limestone.
- the ratio of lithium mica to calcium carbonate within the mixture is preferably within the range of 6: 1 and 3: 1.
- the ratio of mica to gypsum to calcium carbonate is within the range of between 6: x: 1 and 6: x: 2.
- the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt(s) present within the gypsum is within the range of 6: 1 and 2:1.
- the ratio of mica to gypsum to calcium carbonate is within the range of between 6: 1: x and 6: 3: x.
- the calcining step occurs within a rotary kiln.
- the process may comprise pelletising of the lithium mica, gypsum and calcium carbonate mixture prior to the calcining step.
- the lithium mica is calcined without the use of prior milling or grinding steps to reduce particle size of the lithium mica.
- the particle size distribution for Pso of the calcined lithium sulphate containing product is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 350 pm, preferably less than 250 pm, preferably about 75 pm or less.
- the process preferably further comprises leaching of the calcined lithium sulphate containing product in a leach liquor comprising waterto provide a lithium enriched pregnant leach liquor.
- the calcined lithium sulphate containing product may be introduced to water having a neutral pH.
- the leach liquor such as for example water, is preferably free of pH modifiers.
- the calcined lithium sulphate containing product is discharged directly, without additional cooling prior to discharge, into water.
- the process of the present invention can be used to achieve >80% recovery of lithium into the pregnant leach solution.
- the pregnant leach solution can be purified to produce the final lithium salts.
- the pulp density of the lithium enriched pregnant leach liquor is between 7% and 40%, preferably between 10% and 35%, for example between 10% and 30%.
- the process of the present invention has also been found to reduce fluorine gas evolution. Due to the fluorine content of mica, the evolution of fluorine gas is a concern which could pose a significant health risk.
- Table 1 illustrates the pH of leach liquor resulting from the calcination of different ratios of mica: sulphate salt: calcium salt:
- Table 1 shows that the resultant pregnant leach formed after the calcining step was always alkaline with a pH ranging from 7.8 to 10.8.
- the fluorine content in the feed forthe calcining step, in the leach residue and in the pregnant leach liquor was assayed. It was found that 100% of the fluorine content in the feed mixture was present within the leach residue and the pregnant leach liquor. As a result, it is considered that any fluorine gas liberated from the mica during calcining, and on exposure to water, is converted to hydrofluoric acid (HF) which is subsequently neutralised by the presence of alkaline calcium carbonate forming insoluble compounds that remain in the leach residue.
- HF hydrofluoric acid
- the calcium carbonate is the feed mixture is preferably present at a level in excess of stoichiometric requirements to neutralise the generated hydrofluoric acid.
- the present invention therefore provides a process for extracting lithium from lithium mica with reduced generation of fluorine gas.
- Figure 1 is a graph illustrating the relationship between lithium recovery (%) and the ratio of calcium carbonate or the ratio of hydrated lime;
- Figure 2 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the process of the present invention for extracting lithium from lithium-mica minerals;
- Figure 3 is a further schematic illustration of the calcinating and leaching process according to one embodiment of the present invention for extracting lithium from lithium-mica minerals;
- Figures 4A and 4B are graphs illustrating the relationship between lithium recovery (%) from ground feed mixture and unground feed mixture at differing temperatures
- Figure 5 is a graph illustrating the relationship between pulp density and lithium recovery (%).
- Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the relationship between leaching time and lithium recovery (%) post-calcination of 6:3.8:2
- Mica gypsum: limestone at 1000°C for 50 minutes.
- the graph shows that as the ratio of calcium carbonate increases within the feed mixture (i.e. within the feed mixture of lithium mica, gypsum and calcium carbonate), the lithium recovery (%) achieved by the process of the present invention increases. This is in contrast to a conventional process for extraction lithium from lithium mica using a feed mixture of lithium mica, gypsum and hydrated lime.
- Figure 1 shows that as the ratio of hydrated lime increases within the feed mixture (i.e. within the feed mixture of lithium mica, gypsum and hydrated lime), the lithium recovery (%) achieved by the process of the present invention decreases.
- the increased lithium recovery obtained using calcium carbonate, rather than hydrated lime may result from the significantly lower moisture content within calcium carbonate.
- the hydrated lime (calcium hydroxide) decomposes to calcium oxide and water:
- the moisture created during decomposition of hydrated lime has been found to increase adherence of the feed mixture to the apparatus and is therefore considered to reduce limestone recovery further.
- the process for extracting lithium material from lithium mica material comprises mixing lithium mica with gypsum and calcium carbonate (CaCC>3) to provide a lithium mica concentrate-salt mixture; and calcining the lithium mica salt mixture at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to provide a calcined lithium sulphate containing product (101).
- the sulphate salt(s) within the gypsum may be present within the mixture such that the total sulphate salt(s) concentration is at least stoichiometrically equal to the concentration of lithium within the lithium mica material.
- the sulphate salt(s) present within the mixture such that the total sulphate salt(s) concentration is in a stoichiometric excess compared to the concentration of lithium within the lithium mica material.
- Calcium carbonate may be provided in the form of limestone.
- Mixture 1 the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt (within gypsum) to carbonate salt (within limestone) is 6: 3: 2;
- Mixture 2 the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt (within gypsum) to carbonate salt (within limestone) is 3: 3: 1.
- the ratio of lithium mica to carbonate salt(s) within the mixture is preferably within the range of 6: 1 and 3: 1.
- the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt(s) is preferably within the range of 6: 1 and 2:1.
- the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt to carbonate salt(s) is preferably within the range of between 6: x: 1 and 6: x: 2.
- the ratio of lithium mica to sulfate salt(s) to carbonate salt(s) is preferably within the range of between 6: 1: x and 6: 3: x.
- the mixture is calcined within a rotary calciner (102). It is however to be understood that the mixture may be calcined in any suitable calcining vessel as is not to be limited to a rotary calciner.
- the angle of inclination of the calciner tube, rotation speed of the calciner tube, and rotation speed of the screw feeder of the rotary calciner can each be varied.
- the dynamics of the mixture within the calcining vessel, for example within the rotary calciner, is of importance to ensure sufficient mixing and blending of the material, to improve calcination, and to reduce sintering of the mixture by preventing material from contacting inner walls of the vessel for prolonged periods of time.
- the rotary parameters of the rotary calciner are each selected to provide a cascading mixing motion of the mixture within the vessel.
- the rotary parameters of the calcining vessel are optimised to maximise residence time inside the tube.
- the speed of rotation is approximately 1 rpm.
- the feed mixture is heated to any suitable temperature within the calcining vessel within the range of about 750 °C to 1100 °C. It is to be understood that the mixture may be heated to any suitable temperature within the calcining vessel, for example within the range of 800 °C to 1100 °C, preferably within the range of 800 °C to 1000 °C, preferably within the range 900 °C to 1000 °C.
- the calcining step is carried out for a period of between 30 and 50 minutes, however it is to be understood that the calcining step may be performed for any suitable duration, such as for example between 15 minutes and 120 minutes.
- the calcium is present to aid the conversion process by raising the sintering temperature of the mixture as well as capture any gases that may evolve during the calcining process such as fluorine gas.
- the calcining process i.e. the addition of the sulphate salt(s) and calcium carbonate
- the furnace may provide a controlled residence time of between 15 and 120 minutes in the hot zone.
- the calcined lithium sulphate containing product is subsequently exposed to leaching by introducing the product to a leaching vessel comprising an aqueous leach liquor.
- the leach process preferably uses water with a natural pH, ie no requirement for any pH adjustment.
- the aqueous leach liquor leaches the calcined lithium sulphate containing product.
- the leaching step may be carried out at a temperatures between 20°C and 90°C to produce a lithium-enriched pregnant leach liquor.
- Heating of the stirred leach vessel may be achieved by baffled coils, immersion heaters, a jacketed tank system or from residual heat from the calcination step.
- the leach vessel may be agitated and the reaction may be left running for between 0.1 and 24hrs to reach the desired recovery of Li into the leach solution.
- the leach reaction may be carried out continuously or batch-wise.
- the leaching step is preferably done over a period of time between lh and 4h, at temperatures of up to 90°C and at less than 20% solids m/m. It is however to be understood that the leaching step may be carried out over any suitable time period, such as for example over a time period as short as 10 minutes, or over a time period as long as 24 hours.
- the resultant lithium enriched pregnant leach liquor may contain between 0.1 and 45 g/litre, preferably between 5g/litre and 45g/litre of Li.
- the leached, calcined mixture is filtered. Filtration may occur using any suitable means, including for example pressure filtration and vacuum filtration.
- the filtrate is a lithium enriched pregnant leach liquor which is collected and used for further processing.
- the solid leach residue can be disposed of or used for further processing.
- lithium recovery using the feed mixture of the present invention without any additional milling or grinding, at temperatures of above 900 °C provide for comparable lithium recovery rates (with residence times of between 30 minutes and 50 minutes) to results achieved using milled or ground feed mixture.
- Pulp density can be an important consideration of hydrometallurgical separation. Water evaporation has the highest associated operational costs of the extraction and purification process.
- Figure 5 shows a clear reduction in lithium recovery across the pulp densities of 10% to 30%. It is considered that as the residence time increases, the mica has continued to breakdown and release more potassium in the form of potassium sulphate. This increase in potassium sulphate may increase the saturation of the pregnant leach liquor, thereby reducing the solubility of lithium sulphate, maintaining a higher level of lithium in the residue and reducing the recovery.
- lithium recovery was found to be similar to the lithium recovery achieved at a temperature of 1000 °C at 30 minutes.
- Leaching time can influence the lithium recovery rate.
- the results of leaching time on lithium recovery are shown in Figure 6. It can be seen that in general the longer the leaching time, the higher the lithium recovery. With an increased leaching time, the conglomerates of calcined material have longer to break apart, increasing the surface area and allowing a greater degree of dissolution of lithium sulphate.
- the use of calcium sulphate (gypsum) in the calcining step was found to significantly reduce binding of the mica material/calcined mica material to the sides of the equipment. Furthermore, when using calcium sulphate, it was found that the feed mixture had greater mobility within the apparatus.
- the use of calcium sulphate has also been found to promote conglomeration and pellitisation of the feed material. Conglomeration and pellitisation of the feed material helps to reduce loss of lithium material during extraction. For example, without conglomeration and pellitisation lithium material may be lost as dust during extraction. The conglomeration and pellitisation is thought to occur as a result of calcium sulphate absorbing moisture.
- the process of the present may be carried out without requiring additional milling circuits whilst achieving high lithium recovery rates.
- the process of the present invention reduces the number of process steps, in particular milling steps, and therefore reduces the risk of loss of lithium during extraction.
- the number of steps of the process have been reduced therefore requiring less apparatus.
- the associated process and operating costs, labour and energy consumption of the apparatus and the process of the present invention are therefore reduced whilst the lithium recovery has been improved compared to conventional lithium mica extraction processes.
- the process and apparatus of the present invention provide for improved lithium recovery from lithium mica material, whilst also providing for significant associated energy, carbon, time and cost savings.
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Abstract
La présente invention concerne un procédé de récupération de lithium à partir de lithium mica, le procédé consistant à : mélanger le lithium mica avec du gypse et du carbonate de calcium (CaCO3) pour fournir un mélange de sel concentré de lithium mica ; et calciner du mélange de sel de lithium mica à une température prédéterminée pendant un temps prédéterminé pour fournir un produit contenant du sulfate de lithium calciné.
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GB2109646.6A GB2608461A (en) | 2021-07-02 | 2021-07-02 | Process for extraction of lithium from lithium-micas by calcination without pH adjustment |
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CN116986836A (zh) * | 2023-08-04 | 2023-11-03 | 江西永兴特钢新能源科技有限公司 | 一种锂云母渣除杂改性的方法 |
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GB409636A (en) * | 1932-12-29 | 1934-05-03 | Metallgesellschaft Ag | Process for recovering the lithium contained in siliceous lithiumbearing minerals |
GB530028A (en) * | 1938-06-22 | 1940-12-03 | Bolidens Gruv Ab | Method of recovering lithium from minerals |
CN108330298B (zh) * | 2018-02-14 | 2020-08-25 | 中南大学 | 一种从多金属云母矿石中提取铷、铯、锂、钾的方法 |
CN110395751B (zh) * | 2019-04-15 | 2022-01-28 | 江西南氏锂电新材料有限公司 | 一种从锂云母提取硫酸锂的方法 |
CN110396592B (zh) * | 2019-06-28 | 2020-07-10 | 江西南氏锂电新材料有限公司 | 以锂矿石自燃为热源焙烧制锂盐的方法及焙烧装置 |
CN111778391A (zh) * | 2020-07-10 | 2020-10-16 | 江西省丙戊天成环保科技有限公司 | 一种焙烧锂云母提锂的隧道窑制备工艺及其装置 |
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