METHOD OF LITHIUM PRODUCTION AND DEVICE FOR ITS EMBODIMENT Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy, particularly, methods and devices for lithium production. SUBSTANCE: method may be used in production of any alkali and alkali-earth metals, mainly, in production of lithium by thermal reduction with aluminum of lithium oxides in vacuum. The method includes thermal reduction in vacuum of lithium oxide compounds by aluminum with preliminary preparation of mixture of lithium oxide compounds with addition of oxide and/or hydroxide of aluminum, with lithium oxide-aluminum oxide molar ratio in mixture ranging from above 1 to 5. Preferably used for the purpose are lithium oxide compounds of type LiO•nAl₂•mH₂O•fCO₂, where n = 0-5; m = 0-11; f = 0-1. The device for method embodiment has furnace 1 accommodating at least one retort 2 having reduction zone 3 and condensation zone 4, and vessel for collection of metal. The latter is located beyond the furnace and communicated with condensation zone through outlet in lower part of this zone. Diameter of retort in condensation zone exceeds that of retort in reduction zone. EFFECT: higher productivity, reduced material and power consumption. 4 cl, 2 dwg, 1 tbl, 1 ex