The conventional process for extracting lithium from spodumene involves the following steps:
Mining and Crushing: Spodumene ore is mined from pegmatite deposits and then crushed to reduce its particle size.
Concentration: The crushed ore is subjected to gravity concentration, froth flotation, or a combination of both to separate spodumene from other minerals present in the ore.
Calcination: The spodumene concentrate is heated in a rotary kiln or fluidized bed calciner at temperatures between 1000-1100°C to convert the alpha-spodumene to beta-spodumene, a more reactive form that facilitates lithium extraction.
Leaching: The calcined spodumene is mixed with sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to form lithium sulfate (Li2SO4) and other byproducts. The slurry is then subjected to a solid-liquid separation process.
Purification: Impurities, such as aluminum and iron, are removed from the lithium sulfate solution using various techniques, including precipitation, solvent extraction, or ion exchange.
Precipitation: Lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) is precipitated from the purified lithium sulfate solution by adding sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) or another suitable reagent.
Drying and Packaging: The lithium carbonate precipitate is filtered, dried, and packaged for sale or further processing into lithium hydroxide, metal, or other lithium compounds.
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