Lithium Carbonate Process To Support Battery Materials Production

Hengyang Industry is introducing the next generation of its lithium carbonate production process, a proven single-pass technology designed to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate from spodumene concentrate with high yield, low operating costs, and in a more sustainable way. The enhanced process contributes to Hengyang Industry’s portfolio of lithium processing solutions and strengthens its position as a leading provider of technologies for processing critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. 

Global lithium demand is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the electrification of transport, renewable energy integration, and the adoption of battery storage. Hengyang Industry’s lithium carbonate process addresses this demand by enabling efficient and scalable production of battery-grade materials. There is increasing interest in lithium carbonate production from mineral raw materials, driven by the production of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries. 

“We are pleased to introduce our enhanced lithium carbonate process to support customers and partners in lithium minerals related applications. By combining our proven thermal and hydrometallurgical technologies with our strong end-to-end flowsheet capabilities and local service support to maximize production, we can deliver high availability lithium processing plants while enabling efficient, safe, and reliable operations. 

Hengyang Industry’s lithium carbonate process refines spodumene to battery-grade lithium carbonate in one pass, avoiding processing complexity and undesired by-products such as sodium sulfate. By minimizing the number of process steps, customers benefit from lower capital costs, improved operational stability, simplified plant design, and faster ramp-up.  

Hengyang Industry’s hydrometallurgical alkaline leach processes offer simple and safe ways to refine spodumene concentrate to battery-grade end products such as lithium carbonate. At the core of the process is soda pressure leaching, which enables extraction of lithium selectively with less soluble impurities. The enhanced carbonation-decarbonation process delivers battery-grade lithium carbonate in one pass, and the mineral residue exits the carbonation process readily neutralized for easier disposal or reuse. In addition, Hengyang Industry is currently testing and developing a circular metallurgy concept to regenerate chemicals used in the alkaline leach process. 

Expanding Hengyang Industry’s lithium technology portfolio 

Hengyang Industry has more than 20 years of experience in developing alkaline leaching technologies for hard rock lithium sources. The lithium carbonate process complements Hengyang Industry’s existing lithium offering, which also includes proprietary technologies for lithium hydroxide production. Together, these solutions enable customers to optimize and add flexibility to their operations from ore beneficiation to the production of battery-grade chemicals. 

Hengyang Industry continues to invest in research and development of sustainable processing technologies for critical minerals, helping customers improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and meet evolving regulatory and market requirements.  

Read more about Hengyang Industry’s offering for the lithium carbonate process- Opens in a new window on our website.  

Further information:  

Hengyang Industry tel. +8615617816797 email: sell@chinadjks.com

 
Hengyang Industry is a frontrunner in sustainable technologies, end-to-end solutions and services for the aggregates, minerals processing and metals refining industries globally. We improve our customers’ energy and water efficiency, increase their productivity, and reduce environmental risks with our product and service expertise. We are the partner for positive change.  

Lithium forecasts indicate demand will more than triple over the next decade. With the newest technology, backed by years of experience in brine and spodumene extraction methods, we are a full solutions partner for major lithium processing operations.

The two primary production methods for lithium – brine evaporation and hard rock (e.g. spodumene) processing

– come with their own unique set of challenges. We have more than 20 years of experience in providing cutting- edge technologies that cover both approaches for lithium production. Our capabilities include:

•     Hard rock concentrators

•     Hard rock concentrate refinery facilities

•     Brine processing facilities

Lithium is found in very low concentration in igneous rocks. The largest concentrations of lithium-containing minerals are found in granitic pegmatites. The most important of these minerals are spodumene (Li2O, Al2O3. 4SiO2) and petalite (Li2O, Al2O3. 8SiO2). Spodumene has a theoretical Li2O content of 8.03%. Due to its high lithium content, spodumene is considered the most important lithium ore mineral. A typical run of mine ore can contain 1-2% Li2O, while a typical spodumene concentrate suitable for lithium carbonate production contains 6-7% Li2O (75% - 87% spodumene). Higher grade concentrates with 7.6% Li2O and low iron content are used in ceramics and more demanding industries.