Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination
The conventional lithium extraction method involves the calcination of a-spodumene at 1050 °C so that it can be converted to the more-reactive b-spodumene and then a sulfuric acid roasting step at 250 °C. Lithium is finally extracted via leaching with water. This method is energy-intensive, leading...
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2023-12-01
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| author | Katerina Maliachova Nikolaos Doukas Danai Tsakiri Michail Samouhos Lefkothea Sakellariou Iliana Douni Maria Taxiarchou Ioannis Paspaliaris |
| author_facet | Katerina Maliachova Nikolaos Doukas Danai Tsakiri Michail Samouhos Lefkothea Sakellariou Iliana Douni Maria Taxiarchou Ioannis Paspaliaris |
| author_sort | Katerina Maliachova |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The conventional lithium extraction method involves the calcination of a-spodumene at 1050 °C so that it can be converted to the more-reactive b-spodumene and then a sulfuric acid roasting step at 250 °C. Lithium is finally extracted via leaching with water. This method is energy-intensive, leading to high capital and operational costs. In this study, the direct calcination of a-spodumene with the use of sodium carbonate and calcium oxide was examined, aiming to significantly reduce the calcination temperature and completely omit the sulfuric acid roasting step, thereby radically redesigning the lithium extraction process. The calcination product was then leached with different leaching agents, such as water and sulfuric acid, and at different temperatures. The efficiency of the additives was evaluated through the results of lithium extraction achieved during the leaching step. Different leaching agents and temperatures were investigated. The maximum lithium extraction achieved was 96%, obtained after calcination using a sodium carbonate/spodumene mixture and leaching with sulfuric acid at 90 °C. High lithium extractions, up to 83%, can also be achieved under the same calcination conditions and after leaching with sulfuric acid at lower temperatures, such as 40 °C, and for shorter leaching times. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-4605 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-5f60587b95a0415086a8610660ec5ebd2025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGMaterials Proceedings2673-46052023-12-011516210.3390/materproc2023015062Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing CalcinationKaterina Maliachova0Nikolaos Doukas1Danai Tsakiri2Michail Samouhos3Lefkothea Sakellariou4Iliana Douni5Maria Taxiarchou6Ioannis Paspaliaris7Laboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceLaboratory of Metallurgy, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Zografos, GreeceThe conventional lithium extraction method involves the calcination of a-spodumene at 1050 °C so that it can be converted to the more-reactive b-spodumene and then a sulfuric acid roasting step at 250 °C. Lithium is finally extracted via leaching with water. This method is energy-intensive, leading to high capital and operational costs. In this study, the direct calcination of a-spodumene with the use of sodium carbonate and calcium oxide was examined, aiming to significantly reduce the calcination temperature and completely omit the sulfuric acid roasting step, thereby radically redesigning the lithium extraction process. The calcination product was then leached with different leaching agents, such as water and sulfuric acid, and at different temperatures. The efficiency of the additives was evaluated through the results of lithium extraction achieved during the leaching step. Different leaching agents and temperatures were investigated. The maximum lithium extraction achieved was 96%, obtained after calcination using a sodium carbonate/spodumene mixture and leaching with sulfuric acid at 90 °C. High lithium extractions, up to 83%, can also be achieved under the same calcination conditions and after leaching with sulfuric acid at lower temperatures, such as 40 °C, and for shorter leaching times.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/62spodumeneindustrial mineralscritical raw materialsextractive metallurgydecrepitationroasting |
| spellingShingle | Katerina Maliachova Nikolaos Doukas Danai Tsakiri Michail Samouhos Lefkothea Sakellariou Iliana Douni Maria Taxiarchou Ioannis Paspaliaris Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination Materials Proceedings spodumene industrial minerals critical raw materials extractive metallurgy decrepitation roasting |
| title | Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination |
| title_full | Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination |
| title_fullStr | Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination |
| title_full_unstemmed | Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination |
| title_short | Li Extraction from a-Spodumene Concentrate via Carbonizing Calcination |
| title_sort | li extraction from a spodumene concentrate via carbonizing calcination |
| topic | spodumene industrial minerals critical raw materials extractive metallurgy decrepitation roasting |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4605/15/1/62 |
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