TREATMENT METHOD OF CONCENTRATE OF β-SPODUMENE Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC C22B26/12 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: method includes sulphation of concentrate by sulfuric acid, water leaching of sulphited concentrate and neutralisation of leaching pulp. After neutralisation it is implemented separation of neutralised pulp on filter cake and sulphate solution, sedimentation from sulphate solution of admixtures with evaporation of current solution and separation of admixtures of evaporated sulphate solution. From treated and evaporated sulphate solution it is implemented sedimentation of lithium carbonate, separation of lithium carbonate from mother solution and sedimentation of lithium hydro-oxide aluminate from mother solution. Then it is implemented separation of lithium hydro-oxide aluminate pulp on lithium hydro-oxide aluminate and solution, caustification of lithium hydro-oxide aluminate, separation of caustification pulp on solution of lithium hydroxide and caustification cake. Additionally leaching pulp is neutralised up to pH 6.0-6.5 by solution of lithium hydroxide from the caustification stage.

EFFECT: increasing of lithium extraction from concentrate of β-spodumene into lithium carbonate and volume reduction of solid wastes during receiving of lithium carbonate from the concentrate of β-spodumene.

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