PROCESS TO GENERATE ZERO LIQUID DISCHARGE WASTE AND IMPROVE LITHIUM RECOVERY IN LITHIUM PRODUCTION PLANTS

Claims

The present invention involves a process for converting lithium hydroxide brine into lithium carbonate in a way that results in zero liquid discharge. Essentially, the process involves a closed-loop system that includes a carbonation reactor and an evaporative crystallizer. Through carbonation, the lithium hydroxide brine produces lithium carbonate, leaving a liquid stream containing lithium and carbonate. After pH adjustment, the liquid stream is directed to the evaporative crystallizer, which concentrates it. The concentrate is then directed to a solid-liquid separator, which produces a wet cake and a lithium-rich stream. This stream is mixed with the lithium hydroxide brine to produce additional lithium carbonate, which can then be fed into a lithium recovery plant.