Lithium concentrate processing system

Abstract

This utility model belongs to the field of mineral processing technology, specifically providing a lithium concentrate processing system, including a spodumene concentrate beneficiation device, a weak magnetic separation device, a strong magnetic separation device, and a tantalum-niobium gravity separation device. The slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation device is connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device through a first conveying mechanism, on which a valve one is installed; the slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separation device is connected to the feed inlet of the strong magnetic separation device through a second conveying mechanism, on which a valve two is installed; the weak magnetic material outlet of the strong magnetic separation device is connected to the feed inlet of the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device through a third conveying mechanism, on which a valve three is installed. The system can select the appropriate processing device based on the Fe2O3 content and the total Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 content in the slurry, achieving case-specific processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of mineral processing technology, specifically relating to a lithium concentrate processing system. Background Technology

[0002] The grade of spodumene ore is the main indicator of the quality of spodumene mineral resources. The grade of spodumene ore determines the value of spodumene ore development and utilization, the direction of processing and utilization, and the production technology and process flow.

[0003] First, the mined spodumene is crushed into fine particles that meet the requirements using a crushing device. Then, these fine particles are selected according to particle size and subjected to heavy media separation or grinding. Heavy media separation yields gravity-separated lithium concentrate. The ground slurry undergoes desliming, pre-flotation of easily floatable minerals, and flotation to obtain flotation-separated lithium concentrate. Both gravity-separated and flotation-separated lithium concentrates may contain impurities such as mechanical iron and strongly magnetic minerals, which can lower the grade of the lithium concentrate.

[0004] Chinese patent document CN112934469A discloses a method for separating and recovering heavy metals such as tantalum and niobium from lithium ore slurry. The method includes the following steps: S1, transporting lithium ore slurry generated from the acidification and slurry preparation section of a lithium salt plant or from the ball milling section of a lithium concentrate beneficiation plant to a buffer tank; S2, the slurry in the buffer tank flows through pipelines to an extraction device. As the slurry flows through the extraction device, the heavy metal particles such as tantalum and niobium in the slurry are adsorbed onto the blankets due to their own specific gravity and the friction of the blankets on the chute surface of the extraction device. The slurry flows into a return tank and is then stirred and returned to the lithium ore slurry; S3, the tantalum and niobium particles on the blankets in the extraction device are adsorbed... When a certain point is reached, the slurry stops flowing into the extraction equipment. Then, the flushing machine in the extraction equipment starts, using clean water to wash away tantalum, niobium, and other particles from the blanket. This washed-off material flows into the recovery tank along with the clean water. S4: The bottom material formed after sedimentation in the recovery tank is the tantalum, niobium, and other heavy metal particles to be recovered. The surface slurry is then discharged into the sedimentation tank. After sedimentation, the upper liquid flows into the clear water tank, while the bottom sediment, once it reaches a certain concentration, is stirred and pumped back into the reflux tank to enter the lithium ore slurry, maximizing the recovery of mineral resources. However, when the content of heavy metals such as tantalum and niobium in the lithium ore slurry generated from the acidification and slurry preparation section of a lithium salt plant or the ball mill section of a lithium concentrate beneficiation plant changes, it is not possible to handle these variations separately. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a lithium concentrate processing system that can select the appropriate processing device according to the content of Fe2O3 and the total content of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 in the slurry, so as to realize the processing according to different situations.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is: a lithium concentrate processing system, including a spodumene concentrate beneficiation device, a weak magnetic separation device, a strong magnetic separation device, and a tantalum-niobium gravity separation device;

[0007] The slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation device is connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device through a first conveying mechanism, on which a valve is installed; the slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separation device is connected to the feed inlet of the strong magnetic separation device through a second conveying mechanism, on which a valve is installed; the weak magnetic material outlet of the strong magnetic separation device is connected to the feed inlet of the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device through a third conveying mechanism, on which a valve is installed.

[0008] Furthermore, the first conveying mechanism is a first conveying pipe, and the valve is installed on the first conveying pipe.

[0009] Furthermore, the second conveying mechanism is a second conveying pipe, and the second valve is installed on the second conveying pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, the third conveying mechanism is a third conveying pipe, and the valve is installed on the third conveying pipe.

[0011] Furthermore, the material of the first conveying pipe is one or a combination of several of ultra-high molecular weight materials, inorganic non-metallic materials, hard metal materials, and composite materials; the material of the second conveying pipe is one or a combination of several of ultra-high molecular weight materials, inorganic non-metallic materials, hard metal materials, and composite materials; and the material of the third conveying pipe is one or a combination of several of ultra-high molecular weight materials, inorganic non-metallic materials, hard metal materials, and composite materials.

[0012] Furthermore, valve one, valve two, and valve three are all butterfly valves.

[0013] Furthermore, the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device is one or a combination of several of the following: a spiral chute, a blanket machine, and a shaking table.

[0014] Furthermore, the spodumene concentrate beneficiation device includes a spodumene concentrate gravity separation device and / or a spodumene concentrate flotation device.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This utility model provides a lithium concentrate processing system that can select the appropriate processing device according to the content of Fe2O3 and the total content of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 in the slurry, so as to realize the processing according to different situations. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 2This is a flowchart of the present invention;

[0018] Figure reference numerals: 1-Spodumene concentrate beneficiation device; 2-Weak magnetic separation device; 3-Strong magnetic separation device; 4-Tantalum-niobium gravity separation device; 5-First conveying mechanism; 501-Valve one; 6-Second conveying mechanism; 601-Valve two; 7-Third conveying mechanism; 701-Valve three. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] A lithium concentrate processing system includes a spodumene concentrate beneficiation unit 1, a weak magnetic separation unit 2, a strong magnetic separation unit 3, and a tantalum-niobium gravity separation unit 4. The slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation unit 1 is connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation unit 2 via a first conveying mechanism 5, on which a valve 501 is installed. The slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separation unit 2 is connected to the feed inlet of the strong magnetic separation unit 3 via a second conveying mechanism 6, on which a valve 601 is installed. The weak magnetic material outlet of the strong magnetic separation unit 3 is connected to the feed inlet of the tantalum-niobium gravity separation unit 4 via a third conveying mechanism 7, on which a valve 701 is installed.

[0021] The spodumene concentrate beneficiation device 1, the weak magnetic separation device 2, the strong magnetic separation device 3, and the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device 4 are all existing technologies.

[0022] Figure 2 As shown, high tantalum and niobium content means that the total content of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 is greater than or equal to 0.01wt%, and low tantalum and niobium content means that the total content of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 is less than 0.01wt%. High Fe2O3 content means that the Fe2O3 content is greater than 2.5wt%, and low Fe2O3 content means that the Fe2O3 content is less than or equal to 2.5wt%.

[0023] In operating condition one, when the total content of Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂O₅ in lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II is greater than or equal to 0.01 wt%, valve 501 is opened, and the lithium concentrate I slurry and / or lithium concentrate II slurry are discharged from the slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation unit 1. This slurry is then conveyed to the weak magnetic separator 2 via the first conveying mechanism 5 for weak magnetic separation, removing the strongly magnetic material I to obtain the weakly magnetically separated slurry. Valve 601 is then opened, and the weakly magnetically separated slurry is discharged from the slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separator 2. This slurry is then conveyed to the strong magnetic separator 3 via the second conveying mechanism 6 for strong magnetic separation, obtaining grade A lithium concentrate and weakly magnetic material respectively. Under the strong magnetic field conditions provided by the strong magnetic separator 3, weakly magnetic material and grade A lithium concentrate are separated from the weakly magnetically separated slurry. The weakly magnetic material responds to the strong magnetic field, while the grade A lithium concentrate does not respond to the strong magnetic field. When valve 701 is opened, the weakly magnetic material is conveyed to the tantalum-niobium gravity separation unit 4 via the third conveying mechanism 7 for gravity separation to obtain tantalum-niobium concentrate and C-grade lithium concentrate, respectively. Based on the density or specific gravity difference between C-grade lithium concentrate and tantalum-niobium concentrate, the mineral with the relatively lower density or specific gravity in the tantalum-niobium gravity separation unit 4 is C-grade lithium concentrate, and the mineral with the relatively higher density or specific gravity is tantalum-niobium concentrate.

[0024] Condition 2: When the total content of Ta2O5 and Nb2O5 in lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II is less than 0.01 wt%, the content of Fe2O3 in lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II shall be further determined.

[0025] When the Fe2O3 content in lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II is greater than 2.5 wt%, valve 501 opens, and the lithium concentrate I slurry and / or lithium concentrate II slurry are discharged from the slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation unit 1 and conveyed to the weak magnetic separation unit 2 via the first conveying mechanism 5 for weak magnetic separation, yielding strongly magnetic material II and the weakly magnetically separated slurry, respectively. The Fe2O3 content in the weakly magnetically separated concentrate is then further determined.

[0026] When the Fe2O3 content in the concentrate after weak magnetic separation exceeds 2.5 wt%, valve 601 is opened, and the slurry after weak magnetic separation is discharged from the slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separation device 2 and conveyed to the strong magnetic separation device 3 via the second conveying mechanism 6 for strong magnetic separation, yielding grade C lithium concentrate and grade A lithium concentrate respectively. Under the strong magnetic field conditions provided by the strong magnetic separation device 3, grade C lithium concentrate and grade A lithium concentrate are separated from the slurry after weak magnetic separation. Grade C lithium concentrate responds to the strong magnetic field, while grade A lithium concentrate does not.

[0027] When the Fe2O3 content in the concentrate after weak magnetic separation is less than or equal to 2.5 wt%, grade A lithium concentrate or grade B lithium concentrate is obtained.

[0028] When the Fe2O3 content in lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II is less than or equal to 2.5 wt%, grade A lithium concentrate or grade B lithium concentrate is obtained.

[0029] Strongly magnetic materials refer to strongly magnetic minerals and / or mechanical iron. Strongly magnetic material I and strongly magnetic material II are used to differentiate strongly magnetic materials under different operating conditions.

[0030] Lithium concentrate I and / or lithium concentrate II refer to the portion of lithium concentrate I slurry and / or lithium concentrate II slurry after removing water.

[0031] The concentrate after weak magnetic separation refers to the portion of the slurry after weak magnetic separation with water removed.

[0032] Specifically:

[0033] Grade A lithium concentrate: Fe2O3 ≤ 1.5 wt% and Li2O ≥ 5 wt%.

[0034] Grade B lithium concentrate: 1.5wt% < Fe2O3 ≤ 2.5wt% and Li2O ≥ 5wt%.

[0035] Grade C lithium concentrate: Li2O < 5 wt% or Fe2O3 > 2.5 wt%.

[0036] The first conveying mechanism 5, the second conveying mechanism 6, and the third conveying mechanism 7 can all be a first conveying trough, a second conveying trough, and a third conveying trough. Preferably, the first conveying mechanism 5 is a first conveying pipe, and the valve 501 is installed on the first conveying pipe; the second conveying mechanism 6 is a second conveying pipe, and the valve 601 is installed on the second conveying pipe; the third conveying mechanism 7 is a third conveying pipe, and the valve 701 is installed on the third conveying pipe.

[0037] Preferably, the material of the first conveying pipe is one or a combination of ultra-high molecular weight polymer (UHMWPP), inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material; the material of the second conveying pipe is one or a combination of UHMWPP, inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material; and the material of the third conveying pipe is one or a combination of UHMWPP, inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material.

[0038] Ultra-high molecular weight materials (UHMWPEs) are materials formed from ultra-high molecular weight polymers. They have extremely high molecular weights, typically exceeding 1 million, and possess excellent physical and chemical properties. UHMWPEs include ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), among others.

[0039] Inorganic non-metallic materials are those primarily composed of silicates, oxides, and carbides. They possess excellent corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, and mechanical strength, and represent the current state of technology. Inorganic non-metallic materials include ceramics, fiberglass, graphite, and silicon carbide.

[0040] Hard metal materials and composite materials are both existing materials.

[0041] Valve 501, valve 601, and valve 701 can all be ball valves, gate valves, etc. Preferably, valve 501, valve 601, and valve 701 are all butterfly valves.

[0042] Specifically, the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device 4 is one or a combination of several of the following: a spiral chute, a blanket machine, and a shaking table. The spiral chute, blanket machine, and shaking table are all existing technologies.

[0043] Preferably, the spodumene concentrate beneficiation device 1 includes a spodumene concentrate gravity separation device and / or a spodumene concentrate flotation device. This includes the following three scenarios:

[0044] In the first type, the slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate gravity separation device is connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device 2 through the first conveying mechanism 5.

[0045] The second type connects the slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate flotation device with the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device 2 via the first conveying mechanism 5.

[0046] The third type is where the slurry outlets of both the spodumene concentrate gravity separation device and the spodumene concentrate flotation device are connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device 2 via the first conveying mechanism 5.

[0047] Both the spodumene concentrate gravity separation unit and the spodumene concentrate flotation unit are existing technologies. The spodumene concentrate gravity separation unit produces lithium concentrate I slurry, and the spodumene concentrate flotation unit produces lithium concentrate II slurry.

[0048] The embodiments described herein are preferred embodiments of this utility model and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this utility model. All equivalent changes made to the structure, shape, and principle of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of this utility model.

Claims

1. A lithium concentrate processing system, characterized in that: It includes a spodumene concentrate beneficiation unit (1), a weak magnetic separation unit (2), a strong magnetic separation unit (3), and a tantalum-niobium gravity separation unit (4). The slurry outlet of the spodumene concentrate beneficiation device (1) is connected to the feed inlet of the weak magnetic separation device (2) through a first conveying mechanism (5), and a valve (501) is provided on the first conveying mechanism (5); the slurry outlet of the weak magnetic separation device (2) is connected to the feed inlet of the strong magnetic separation device (3) through a second conveying mechanism (6), and a valve (601) is provided on the second conveying mechanism (6); the weak magnetic material outlet of the strong magnetic separation device (3) is connected to the feed inlet of the tantalum-niobium gravity separation device (4) through a third conveying mechanism (7), and a valve (701) is provided on the third conveying mechanism (7).

2. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first conveying mechanism (5) is the first conveying pipe, and the valve (501) is installed on the first conveying pipe.

3. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The second conveying mechanism (6) is a second conveying pipe, and the valve (601) is installed on the second conveying pipe.

4. The lithium concentrate processing system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that: The third conveying mechanism (7) is the third conveying pipe, and the valve three (701) is installed on the third conveying pipe.

5. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The material of the first conveying pipe is one of ultra-high molecular weight material, inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material; the material of the second conveying pipe is one of ultra-high molecular weight material, inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material; and the material of the third conveying pipe is one of ultra-high molecular weight material, inorganic non-metallic material, hard metal material, and composite material.

6. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: Valve 1 (501), Valve 2 (601) and Valve 3 (701) are all butterfly valves.

7. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The tantalum-niobium reselection device (4) is one or a combination of spiral chute, blanket machine, and shaking table.

8. The lithium concentrate processing system as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The spodumene concentrate beneficiation device (1) includes a spodumene concentrate gravity separation device and / or a spodumene concentrate flotation device.

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