Process for recovering lithium and aluminum metals from the impurities and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte and mixed transfer device

Abstract

This invention provides a process and mixing and transfer equipment for recovering lithium and aluminum metals from impurity slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte, relating to the field of non-ferrous metal resource recovery technology. The process includes the following steps: Step S1, crushing, grinding, and sieving the impurity slag generated during the preparation of lithium carbonate from spodumene and the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte generated during aluminum electrolysis, followed by drying for later use. This scheme ultimately achieves the synergistic calcination of calcium carbonate in the spodumene impurity slag and fluorine in the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte to generate calcium fluoride, realizing in-situ consolidation of harmful elements and avoiding fluorine contamination. After leaching the clinker with alkaline solution, lithium and aluminum enter the solution and are separated from calcium and silicon impurities. Subsequently, by controlling the pH value, aluminum hydroxide is preferentially precipitated, and after calcination, alumina is obtained. The liquid after aluminum precipitation is concentrated and carbonated to obtain high-purity lithium carbonate, achieving efficient extraction of lithium and aluminum and improving resource recovery rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of non-ferrous metal resource recovery, and in particular to a process and mixing and transfer equipment for recovering lithium and aluminum metal from impurities and lithium-rich aluminum electrolytes. Background Technology

[0002] In the process of preparing lithium carbonate from spodumene, it is usually necessary to remove impurities from the leaching brine in order to obtain high-purity lithium products. The residue produced in this process mainly contains lithium carbonate and calcium carbonate. Currently, most of these residues are disposed of by simple landfill or stockpiling, which not only occupies a lot of land resources, but may also lead to the waste of valuable elements such as lithium and potential environmental pollution problems.

[0003] As a crucial basic industry, the aluminum electrolysis industry generates a large amount of lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte during production. This electrolyte is rich in elements such as lithium and fluorine. With the development of aluminum electrolysis technology and the increasing demand for lithium resources, how to effectively recover and utilize the lithium resources in lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte has become a focus of attention within the industry. Traditionally, methods for disposing of lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte, such as direct landfill or simple stockpiling, not only result in a significant waste of lithium resources but also pose a serious threat to soil and aquatic environments due to the harmful substances such as fluorides it contains.

[0004] Existing methods for extracting lithium and aluminum from lithium-containing raw materials often suffer from problems such as complex processes, high costs, low resource utilization, and serious environmental pollution. For example, some methods require the use of large amounts of strong acids and alkalis, which not only increases production costs but also easily generates large amounts of wastewater and waste gas, putting great pressure on the environment. At the same time, due to unreasonable process design, the extraction rates of lithium and aluminum are low, making it impossible to achieve efficient recycling of resources.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a process and mixing and transfer equipment for removing impurities and recovering lithium and aluminum metals using lithium-rich aluminum electrolytes to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a process and mixing and transfer equipment for removing impurities and recovering lithium and aluminum metals using lithium-rich aluminum electrolytes. This solves the problems of existing methods for extracting lithium and aluminum from lithium-containing raw materials, which often involve complex processes, high costs, low resource utilization, and serious environmental pollution.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the process for recovering lithium and aluminum metal from impurity-removing slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte provided by the present invention includes the following steps:

[0008] Step S1: The impurity slag generated during the preparation of lithium carbonate from spodumene and the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte generated during aluminum electrolysis are crushed, ground and sieved respectively, and dried after sieving for later use.

[0009] Step S2: Weigh the dried spodumene slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte and mix them. After mixing, transfer the mixture to a corundum crucible or stainless steel tray and then put the mixture into a muffle furnace for calcination.

[0010] Step S3: After cooling the calcined mixed clinker, crush it. Mix the refined clinker with sodium hydroxide solution in a certain proportion, place it in a constant temperature water bath and stir to leach. The solid and liquid are separated to obtain filter residue A and filtrate A. After washing with water multiple times to make it neutral, filter residue A is used as a building material. The washing liquid is used for recycling or for preparing concentrated sodium hydroxide solution.

[0011] Step S4: After mixing filtrate A and the washing solution from step S3, add dilute hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH value to 8-9, place it in a constant temperature water bath and stir to react, so that aluminum hydroxide precipitates out. After solid-liquid separation, filter residue B and filtrate B are obtained. After drying, filter residue B is placed in a muffle furnace for calcination to obtain aluminum oxide.

[0012] Step S5: After the filtrate B is concentrated, it is mixed with sodium carbonate solution. After mixing, it is placed in a constant temperature water bath and stirred to react. Solid-liquid separation is performed to obtain filter residue C, whose main component is lithium carbonate, and filtrate C.

[0013] Step S6: Decarbonize the filtrate C. Transfer the decarbonized solution to an evaporating dish and heat it until a large amount of crystal film appears. Then stop heating and allow it to cool naturally to room temperature. Sodium sulfate crystals will precipitate. Filter the solution using a vacuum pump, collect the crystals, wash them with a small amount of ethanol, and finally dry them to obtain anhydrous sodium sulfate.

[0014] The mixing and transfer equipment includes a mixing tank, a mounting frame, a feeding mechanism, and a compaction mechanism;

[0015] The feeding mechanism includes a mounting plate fixed to the top of the mounting frame. A drive frame is slidably connected to the inner side of the mounting plate. A side plate is fixed to the right side of the mounting frame. Two electric telescopic rods are fixed to the left side of the side plate and at the bottom of the drive frame. The output ends of the two electric telescopic rods are fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive frame. A placement seat is provided on the right side of the top of the drive frame. A material tray is provided inside the placement seat. Two guide plates are fixed to the top of the mounting plate and inside the drive frame. Connecting rods are rotatably connected to the front and back of the placement seat. Guide rods are rotatably connected to the opposite sides of the bottom of the two connecting rods. The two guide rods are located inside the drive frame and the guide plates.

[0016] The compaction mechanism includes two guide rods that are vertically slidably connected inside the mounting plate. A compaction frame is fixed at the top of the two guide rods. An adjusting screw is vertically threaded inside the compaction frame. A pressure block is fixed at the bottom of the adjusting screw. Two guide wheels are rotatably connected to the inner side of the compaction frame. The two guide wheels are located inside the drive frame. A buffer spring is sleeved on the circumferential side of the two guide rods and at the top of the mounting plate.

[0017] Preferably, the inner sides of both the drive frame and the guide plate are provided with guide grooves for use with the guide rod. The guide groove on the inner side of the drive frame consists of a straight groove and an upwardly inclined groove, and the diameter of the straight groove is larger than the diameter of the guide rod. The guide groove on the inner side of the guide plate consists of a straight groove and a downwardly inclined groove.

[0018] Preferably, the pressure block has the same diameter as the inside of the material tray. When the material tray moves to the bottom of the pressure block, the material in the material tray is compacted by the downward movement of the pressure block. The inner side of the drive frame is provided with a guide groove that works with two guide wheels. The guide groove consists of a straight groove and a downward-sloping groove on the right side.

[0019] Preferably, a leveling mechanism is fixedly provided on the top of the mounting plate. The leveling mechanism includes two mounting brackets fixedly provided on the top of the mounting plate. A rotating rod is rotatably connected to one side of each of the two mounting brackets. A scraper is fixedly provided on one side of each of the two rotating rods. A collection box is fixedly provided on the left side of the bottom of the scraper. Gears are fixedly provided on the circumferential sides of each of the two rotating rods and on the inner side of each of the two mounting brackets. Two toothed plates are fixedly provided on the top of the drive frame. The two toothed plates mesh with the two gears respectively.

[0020] Preferably, an ejection mechanism is fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate. The ejection mechanism includes a horizontal plate fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate. Two protruding plates are fixedly provided on the top of the horizontal plate. Two reciprocating frames are vertically slidably connected inside the placement seat. A top plate is fixedly provided on the top of each of the two reciprocating frames. A return spring is sleeved on the surface of each of the two reciprocating frames and located at the bottom of the placement seat. Rollers are rotatably connected to the inner side of the bottom of each of the two reciprocating frames. The bottom of each of the two rollers contacts the top of the two protruding plates respectively.

[0021] Preferably, the tops of the two electric telescopic rods are fixedly connected to the bottom of the horizontal plate, the two top plates are located at the bottom of the side edge of the material tray, the interior of the placement seat has a through hole for use with the material tray, and the interior of the placement seat has a groove for use with the two top plates.

[0022] Preferably, a mixing mechanism is vertically rotatably connected inside the mixing chamber. The mixing mechanism includes a mixing shaft vertically rotatably connected inside the mixing chamber. A mixing paddle is fixed on the circumferential side of the mixing shaft and inside the mixing chamber. A mixing motor for driving the mixing shaft to rotate is provided on the top of the mixing chamber.

[0023] Preferably, the top of the mixing box is connected to two feed pipes, the bottom of the mixing box is connected to a discharge pipe, the discharge pipe is located on top of the material tray, and four support legs are fixed on the periphery of the mixing box.

[0024] Compared with related technologies, the process and mixing and transfer equipment for recovering lithium and aluminum metal from impurity slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte provided by the present invention have the following beneficial effects:

[0025] By synergistically roasting calcium carbonate from spodumene residue with fluorine from lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte to generate calcium fluoride, harmful elements are sealed in situ, avoiding fluorine contamination. After leaching the clinker with alkaline solution, lithium and aluminum enter the solution and are separated from calcium and silicon impurities. Subsequently, by controlling the pH value, aluminum hydroxide is preferentially precipitated, and after calcination, alumina is obtained. The liquid after aluminum precipitation is concentrated and carbonated to obtain high-purity lithium carbonate, achieving efficient extraction of lithium and aluminum and improving resource recovery rate. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the process flow provided for this invention;

[0028] Figure 2 The optimal structural schematic diagram provided for this invention;

[0029] Figure 3 for Figure 2 The diagram shows the structure of the mounting bracket.

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the feeding mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the drive frame structure.

[0032] Figure 6 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the placement base;

[0033] Figure 7 for Figure 4 The diagram shows the structure of the guide plate.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the compaction mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0035] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the paving mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0036] Figure 10 for Figure 9 The enlarged structural diagram at point A is shown below;

[0037] Figure 11 A schematic diagram showing the state in which the two toothed plates of the present invention move to the left, causing the gear to drive the rotating rod to rotate clockwise.

[0038] Figure 12 A schematic diagram showing the state in which the two toothed plates of the present invention move to the right, causing the gear to drive the rotating rod to rotate counterclockwise;

[0039] Figure 13 A schematic diagram of the ejection mechanism provided by the present invention;

[0040] Figure 14 A schematic diagram showing the state in which the placement seat drives the reciprocating frame to move to the right, as provided by the present invention.

[0041] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the hybrid mechanism provided by the present invention.

[0042] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0043] 1. Mixing box; 2. Mounting bracket;

[0044] 3. Feeding mechanism; 31. Mounting plate; 32. Drive frame; 33. Electric telescopic rod; 34. Placement seat; 35. Guide plate; 36. Connecting rod; 37. Guide rod;

[0045] 4. Compaction mechanism; 41. Guide rod; 42. Compaction frame; 43. Adjusting screw; 44. Pressure block; 45. Guide wheel; 46. Buffer spring;

[0046] 5. Side panels; 6. Material tray;

[0047] 7. Leveling mechanism; 71. Mounting bracket; 72. Rotating rod; 73. Scraper; 74. Collection box; 75. Gear; 76. Toothed plate;

[0048] 8. Ejection mechanism; 81. Horizontal plate; 82. Convex plate; 83. Reciprocating frame; 84. Top plate; 85. Return spring; 86. Roller;

[0049] 9. Hybrid mechanism; 91. Hybrid shaft; 92. Hybrid propeller; 93. Hybrid motor;

[0050] 10. Feed pipe; 11. Discharge pipe; 12. Support leg. Detailed Implementation

[0051] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0052] This invention provides a process for removing impurities and recovering lithium and aluminum metal using lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte.

[0053] Please see Figure 1 The process for removing impurities and recovering lithium and aluminum metal using lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte includes the following steps:

[0054] Step S1: The impurity slag generated during the preparation of lithium carbonate from spodumene and the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte generated during aluminum electrolysis are crushed, ground and sieved. After sieving through 100 mesh, they are placed in an oven to dry for later use.

[0055] Step S2: Weigh the dried spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte and mix them. After mixing, transfer the mixture to a corundum crucible or stainless steel tray. Then, put the mixture into a muffle furnace for roasting. During the roasting process, the fluorine element in the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte reacts with the calcium carbonate in the residue to generate calcium fluoride. At the same time, the lithium and aluminum components undergo chemical transformation to form compounds that are easier to leach later.

[0056] Step S3: After roasting, the material is naturally cooled to room temperature and then crushed to further refine the particle size to below 200 mesh. The refined clinker is mixed with sodium hydroxide solution in a certain solid-liquid ratio and placed in a constant temperature water bath. It is stirred and leached at a specific temperature for a period of time. The solid and liquid are separated to obtain filter residue A and filtrate A. After multiple water washings to neutralize, filter residue A is used as a building material. The washing liquid is used for recycling or for preparing concentrated sodium hydroxide solution.

[0057] Step S4: Mix filtrate A and the washing liquid from step S3, add dilute hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH value to 8-9, place in a constant temperature water bath, stir and react for a period of time at a specific temperature to precipitate aluminum hydroxide, and obtain filter residue B and filtrate B by solid-liquid separation. After drying, filter residue B is placed in a muffle furnace for calcination to obtain aluminum oxide.

[0058] Step S5: After the filtrate B is concentrated, it is mixed with sodium carbonate solution and placed in a constant temperature water bath. The mixture is stirred and reacted at a specific temperature for a period of time. Solid-liquid separation is performed to obtain filter residue C, whose main component is lithium carbonate, and filtrate C.

[0059] Step S6: After the components of filtrate C are sent for testing, concentrated sulfuric acid is added according to a specific stoichiometric ratio for decarbonization treatment. The decarbonized solution is transferred to an evaporating dish and heated to evaporate until a large amount of crystal film appears. Heating is then stopped, and the solution is allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. Sodium sulfate crystals precipitate out. The solution is then filtered using a vacuum pump, and the crystals are collected. The solution is washed 2-3 times with a small amount of ethanol and finally dried in an oven at a specific temperature for a period of time to obtain anhydrous sodium sulfate.

[0060] Preferably, in step S1, after sieving, the product is placed in an oven and dried at 100°C for 12 hours for later use.

[0061] Preferably, in step S2, 50g of dried spodumene slag and lithium-rich electrolyte are weighed and mixed at a mass ratio of 1:2. The mixture is then placed in a muffle furnace and calcined at 700°C for 2 hours.

[0062] Preferably, in step S3, the refined clinker is mixed with a 3 mol / L sodium hydroxide solution at a solid-liquid ratio of 1:4, placed in a constant temperature water bath, and soaked at 70°C for 2 hours with a stirring speed of 350 rpm.

[0063] Preferably, in step S4, while mixing filtrate A and the washing liquid from step S3, dilute hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide is added to adjust the pH to 8.5. The mixture is placed in a constant temperature water bath and reacted at 70°C for 2 hours with a stirring speed of 350 rpm to precipitate aluminum hydroxide. The solid and liquid are separated to obtain filter residue B and filtrate B. After drying, filter residue B is placed in a muffle furnace and calcined at 550°C for 3 hours to obtain alumina.

[0064] Preferably, in step S5, after mixing, the mixture is placed in a constant temperature water bath and reacted at 70°C for 3 hours with a stirring speed of 350 rpm.

[0065] Preferably, in step S6, after the filtrate C is sent for component testing, concentrated sulfuric acid is added in excess at a stoichiometric ratio of 5% for decarbonization treatment.

[0066] In this embodiment, calcium carbonate in the spodumene impurity removal residue and fluorine in the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte are synergistically roasted to generate calcium fluoride, achieving in-situ consolidation of harmful elements and avoiding fluorine pollution. After the clinker is leached with alkaline solution, lithium and aluminum enter the solution and are separated from calcium and silicon impurities. Subsequently, by controlling the pH value, aluminum hydroxide is preferentially precipitated, and after calcination, aluminum oxide is obtained. The aluminum-precipitated liquid is concentrated and carbonated to obtain high-purity lithium carbonate, achieving efficient extraction of lithium and aluminum and improving resource recovery rate.

[0067] The present invention also provides a hybrid transfer device.

[0068] First embodiment:

[0069] Please see Figures 2 to 8 The mixing and transfer equipment includes a mixing box 1, a mounting frame 2, a feeding mechanism 3, and a compaction mechanism 4;

[0070] The feeding mechanism 3 includes a mounting plate 31 fixed to the top of the mounting frame 2. A drive frame 32 is slidably connected to the inner side of the mounting plate 31. A side plate 5 is fixed to the right side of the mounting frame 2. Two electric telescopic rods 33 are fixed to the left side of the side plate 5 and at the bottom of the drive frame 32. The output ends of the two electric telescopic rods 33 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive frame 32. A placement seat 34 is provided on the right side of the top of the drive frame 32. A material tray 6 is provided on the inner side of the placement seat 34. Two guide plates 35 are fixed to the top of the mounting plate 31 and at the inner side of the drive frame 32. A connecting rod 36 is rotatably connected to the front and back of the placement seat 34. A guide rod 37 is rotatably connected to the opposite side of the bottom of the two connecting rods 36. The two guide rods 37 are located inside the drive frame 32 and the guide plate 35.

[0071] The compaction mechanism 4 includes two guide rods 41 that are vertically slidably connected inside the mounting plate 31. A compaction frame 42 is fixedly provided at the top of the two guide rods 41. An adjusting screw 43 is vertically threaded inside the compaction frame 42. A pressure block 44 is fixedly provided at the bottom of the adjusting screw 43. Two guide wheels 45 are rotatably connected to the inner side of the compaction frame 42. The two guide wheels 45 are located inside the drive frame 32. A buffer spring 46 is sleeved on the peripheral side of the two guide rods 41 and at the top of the mounting plate 31.

[0072] The inner sides of both the drive frame 32 and the guide plate 35 are provided with guide grooves that cooperate with the guide rod 37. The guide groove on the inner side of the drive frame 32 is composed of a straight groove and an upwardly inclined groove, and the diameter of the straight groove is larger than the diameter of the guide rod 37. The guide groove on the inner side of the guide plate 35 is composed of a straight groove and a downwardly inclined groove.

[0073] The pressure block 44 has the same diameter as the inside of the material tray 6. When the material tray 6 moves to the bottom of the pressure block 44, the material in the material tray 6 is compacted by the downward movement of the pressure block 44. The inner side of the drive frame 32 is provided with a guide groove that works with the two guide wheels 45. The guide groove consists of a straight groove and a downward inclined groove on the right side.

[0074] Preferably, the initial working position of the guide rod 37 is located in the inclined groove part of the guide groove inside the drive frame 32 and the straight groove part of the guide plate 35. The top of the drive frame 32 can be provided with a sliding slot that cooperates with the placement seat 34, which helps to reduce the friction coefficient between the drive frame 32 and the placement seat 34. The rotational friction coefficient between the two connecting rods 36 and the placement seat 34 is relatively large.

[0075] Preferably, the tray 6 is used to store the mixture of dried spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte in step S2.

[0076] Preferably, when the material tray 6 moves to the left, it contains a mixture. The weight of the mixture, the material tray 6 and the placement seat 34 overcomes the friction when the two connecting rods 36 rotate, ensuring that when the connecting rods 36 rotate, the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 can be stably placed at the bottom of the pressure block 44.

[0077] Please combine Figures 4 to 7 : Activate the two electric telescopic rods 33. The two electric telescopic rods 33 extend and drive the drive frame 32 to move to the left. At this time, the guide rod 37 is located in the inclined groove of the guide groove inside the drive frame 32. When the drive frame 32 moves to the left, it pulls the two guide rods 37 to move to the left (at this time, the guide rods 37 will move to the left in the straight groove of the guide groove inside the guide plate 35). The leftward movement of the two guide rods 37 simultaneously drives the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to move to the left through the connecting rod 36. When the two guide rods 37 continue to move to the left and come into contact with the downward inclined groove of the guide groove inside the guide plate 35, the inclined groove will limit the position of the guide rods 37. As the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left, the guide rod 37 drives the connecting rod 36 to rotate, causing the guide rod 37 to fully enter the downward inclined groove of the guide groove in the guide plate 35. After entering the inclined groove, the guide rod 37 is located in the straight groove of the guide groove in the drive frame 32. When the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left, under the limiting action of the inclined groove in the guide plate 35, the guide rod 37 drives the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to remain stationary through the connecting rod 36 (while the drive frame 32 can move to the left until the guide rod 37 contacts the right side of the straight groove in the drive frame 32, at which point the material tray 6 is located at the bottom of the pressure block 44).

[0078] Furthermore, when the two electric telescopic rods 33 retract, they drive the drive frame 32 to move to the right. During the movement of the drive frame 32 to the right, when the inclined groove of the internal guide groove contacts the guide rod 37, it will pull the guide rod 37 away from the inclined groove of the guide plate 35, so that the guide rod 37 enters the inclined groove of the guide groove inside the drive frame 32. The inclined groove is used to limit the guide rod 37 again (at this time, the guide rod 37 is located in the straight groove of the guide plate 35), and then the drive frame 32 moves to the right, causing the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to reset to the right.

[0079] Please combine Figure 3 and Figure 8When the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 are at the bottom of the pressing block 44 (at this time, the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 are stationary), and the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left, under the action of the guide groove that cooperates with the guide wheel 45 in the drive frame 32, the two guide wheels 45 will drive the compaction frame 42 to move downward, causing the two buffer springs 46 to contract, and the compaction frame 42 to move downward, thereby driving the adjusting screw 43 and the pressing block 44 to move downward, thereby compacting the mixture in the material tray 6.

[0080] Preferably, by adjusting the setting of the screw 43, the height of the compaction block 44 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the compaction degree of the mixture;

[0081] Furthermore, after the mixture in the material tray 6 is compacted, the two electric telescopic rods 33 retract, driving the drive frame 32 to move to the right. The drive frame 32 moves to the right, and under the action of the guide groove that works with the guide wheel 45, it will first drive the guide wheel 45, the compaction frame 42, the pressure block 44 and the guide rod 41 to move upward, and reset the pressure block 44 (when the pressure block 44 has been reset, the drive frame 32 continues to move to the right, and under the action of the guide rod 37 and the connecting rod 36, it will take the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to reset to the right).

[0082] In this embodiment, the electric telescopic rod 33 extends to the left, driving the drive frame 32, the placement seat 34, and the material tray 6 to move to the left, thereby conveying the dried mixture. When the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 are at the bottom of the compaction block 44 and are stationary, the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left. With the cooperation of the guide wheel 45, the compaction frame 42 and the compaction block 44 move downward, thereby compacting the mixture in the material tray 6. If the mixture is directly roasted without compaction, it is easily carried away by the flue gas, resulting in metal loss. However, after being compacted into blocks, the mixture stays in the furnace for a longer time and reacts more fully, significantly improving the recovery rate of lithium and aluminum. During the batch compaction process of the mixture, by controlling the extension length of the electric telescopic rod 33 to be the same each time, the height to which the compaction block 44 descends can be the same each time, ensuring that the compaction force and position are consistent each time, ensuring that the compaction density of each batch of mixture is uniform, and ensuring the stability of subsequent metallurgical processes.

[0083] Second embodiment:

[0084] Please see Figures 9 to 14The top of the mounting plate 31 is fixedly provided with a leveling mechanism 7. The leveling mechanism 7 includes two mounting brackets 71 fixedly provided on the top of the mounting plate 31. A rotating rod 72 is rotatably connected to the opposite side of each of the two mounting brackets 71. A scraper 73 is fixedly provided on the opposite side of each of the two rotating rods 72. A collection box 74 is fixedly provided on the left side of the bottom of the scraper 73. Gears 75 are fixedly provided on the peripheral side of each of the two rotating rods 72 and on the inner side of each of the two mounting brackets 71. Two toothed plates 76 are fixedly provided on the top of the drive frame 32. The two toothed plates 76 mesh with the two gears 75 respectively.

[0085] An ejection mechanism 8 is fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate 5. The ejection mechanism 8 includes a horizontal plate 81 fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate 5. Two protruding plates 82 are fixedly provided on the top of the horizontal plate 81. Two reciprocating frames 83 are vertically slidably connected inside the placement seat 34. A top plate 84 is fixedly provided on the top of each of the two reciprocating frames 83. A return spring 85 is sleeved on the surface of each of the two reciprocating frames 83 and located at the bottom of the placement seat 34. Rollers 86 are rotatably connected to the inner side of the bottom of each of the two reciprocating frames 83. The bottom of each of the two rollers 86 is in contact with the top of the two protruding plates 82 respectively.

[0086] The tops of the two electric telescopic rods 33 are fixedly connected to the bottom of the horizontal plate 81. The two top plates 84 are located at the bottom of the side edge of the material tray 6. The interior of the placement seat 34 is provided with a through hole that cooperates with the material tray 6. The interior of the placement seat 34 is provided with a groove that cooperates with the two top plates 84.

[0087] Please combine Figures 9 to 12 When the drive frame 32 moves to the left, it will simultaneously drive the two toothed plates 76 at the top to move to the left. The two toothed plates 76 moving to the left will drive the two gears 75 to rotate clockwise. The two gears 75 rotating clockwise will drive the rotating rod 72 to rotate clockwise. The rotating rod 72 will drive the scraper 73 and the collection box 74 to rotate clockwise, so that the scraper 73 is tilted to the right. When the drive frame 32 drives the material tray 6 to move to the left, the scraper 73 will be used to scrape the mixture in the material tray 6 to level it, so as to avoid large differences in compaction density during the subsequent compaction process.

[0088] Preferably, the right side of the scraper 73 is inclined upwards. When the scraper 73 is rotated clockwise, the inclined position will rotate to a horizontal position, thereby scraping the mixture flat. A raised vertical plate is provided on the left side of the top of the scraper 73 to block the scraped mixture.

[0089] Furthermore, when the mixture is compacted and the drive frame 32 moves to the right to reset the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6, the drive frame 32 will simultaneously drive the two toothed plates 76 to move to the right. When the two toothed plates 76 come into contact with the gear 75 and continue to move to the right, the toothed plates 76 will drive the gear 75 to rotate counterclockwise. The gear 75 will then drive the rotating rod 72, the scraper 73 and the collection box 74 to rotate counterclockwise, thereby resetting the scraper 73.

[0090] Furthermore, when the scraper 73 is reset, as the drive frame 32 continues to move to the right, it will simultaneously drive the two toothed plates 76 to move to the right. The two toothed plates 76 moving to the right will in turn drive the gear 75 and the rotating rod 72 to rotate counterclockwise. The rotating rod 72 will then drive the scraper 73 and the collection box 74 to rotate counterclockwise, causing the right side of the scraper 73 to tilt upward, so that the mixture collected on the surface of the scraper 73 falls into the collection box 74.

[0091] Please combine Figure 13 and Figure 14 When the mixture in the tray 6 has been compacted and the tray 6 has completed its rightward reset, the electric telescopic rod 33 is controlled to continue retracting, thereby driving the drive frame 32, the placement seat 34 and the tray 6 to continue moving to the right. During the rightward movement of the placement seat 34, the two reciprocating frames 83 will also move to the right. The rightward movement of the two reciprocating frames 83 will drive the two rollers 86 at the bottom to move to the right. With the cooperation of the convex plate 82, the rollers 86 will drive the reciprocating frames 83 and the top plate 84 to move upward during the rightward movement, and cause the reset spring 85 to contract. The upward movement of the two top plates 84 will then drive the tray 6 to move upward, pushing the tray 6 out of the placement seat 34, thereby replacing the tray 6.

[0092] Furthermore, after the replacement of the material tray 6 is completed, the electric telescopic rod 33 is extended to the left, thereby driving the drive frame 32, the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to move to the left. The leftward movement of the placement seat 34 drives the reciprocating frame 83 and the roller 86 to move to the left. Under the expansion force of the return spring 85, the reciprocating frame 83 will drive the top plate 84 to move downward, so that the replaced material tray 6 falls into the placement seat 34 (when the material tray 6 falls into the placement seat 34, the material tray 6 is located at the bottom of the discharge pipe 11, waiting to receive the mixed material from the mixing box 1).

[0093] In this embodiment, after the material tray 6 receives the mixture from the mixing box 1, the surface of the mixture is often uneven or conical. During the process of the drive frame 32 driving the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to move to the left for compaction, the scraper 73 is driven to rotate clockwise by the cooperation of the toothed plate 76, the gear 75 and the rotating rod 72. Thus, during the process of the material tray 6 moving to the left, the scraper 73 is used to scrape the mixture to make the mixture evenly and evenly distributed in the material tray 6, maintaining a consistent thickness, and avoiding the problem of uneven density of the mixture after compaction, which affects the smelting efficiency and metal recovery rate.

[0094] After the mixture is compacted and reset, the drive frame 32 continues to move to the right, driving the reciprocating frame 83 and roller 86 to pass through the convex plate 82. Under the action of the convex plate 82, the reciprocating frame 83 and the top plate 84 can smoothly lift the material tray 6 from the placement seat 34, making it convenient for the staff to replace the material tray 6.

[0095] Third embodiment:

[0096] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 15 The mixing chamber 1 is vertically rotatably connected to a mixing mechanism 9. The mixing mechanism 9 includes a mixing shaft 91 vertically rotatably connected to the inside of the mixing chamber 1. A mixing paddle 92 is fixed on the circumferential side of the mixing shaft 91 and inside the mixing chamber 1. A mixing motor 93 is provided on the top of the mixing chamber 1 to drive the mixing shaft 91 to rotate.

[0097] The top of the mixing box 1 is connected to two feed pipes 10, the bottom of the mixing box 1 is connected to a discharge pipe 11, the discharge pipe 11 is located on the top of the material tray 6, and four support legs 12 are fixed on the periphery of the mixing box 1.

[0098] Preferably, the two feed pipes 10 are used to feed spodumene impurity removal slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte into the mixing tank 1, respectively, and the surface of the discharge pipe 11 is provided with an electromagnetic discharge valve.

[0099] Please combine Figure 15 When the dried spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte are added into the mixing tank 1 in a certain proportion, the mixing motor 93 is started. The rotation of the mixing motor 93 drives the mixing shaft 91 to rotate, and the rotation of the mixing shaft 91 drives the mixing paddle 92 to rotate. The rotation of the mixing paddle 92 mixes the spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte.

[0100] In this embodiment, the mixing shaft 91 is rotated by the mixing motor 93, and the mixing paddle 92 is used to mix the spodumene impurity removal slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte. The homogeneous mixture can ensure that each part of the material undergoes the same chemical reaction environment during calcination, thereby improving the activation conversion rate and consistency of lithium and aluminum.

[0101] In another application, the mixing and transfer equipment can be used for the co-processing of building materials and solid waste;

[0102] When building materials and solid waste are co-processed, fly ash, slag powder, steel slag powder and other materials in the building materials are mixed with fine powder of construction waste or dried sludge in the mixing box 1. After mixing, the mixture is transferred to the material tray 6. The specific transfer method is as described above, and it is used for brick making or cement admixtures, etc.

[0103] In another application, the mixing and transfer device can be used to treat environmental sludge;

[0104] When treating environmental sludge, the dried sludge and treatment agents are mixed in mixing tank 1 and then transferred to material tray 6. The specific transfer method is as described above. After briquetting and stabilization, it is easy to transport, incinerate, landfill or recycle.

[0105] Please refer to the reference again. Figures 2 to 15 The working principle of the hybrid transfer device provided by this invention is as follows:

[0106] Step S1: After the dried spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte are added into the mixing tank 1 in proportion, the mixing motor 93 is started. The mixing motor 93 rotates and drives the mixing shaft 91 to rotate. The mixing shaft 91 rotates and drives the mixing paddle 92 to rotate. The mixing paddle 92 rotates to mix the spodumene residue and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte.

[0107] In step S2, the mixed material is fed into the material tray 6 in batches through the discharge pipe 11. After feeding, the two electric telescopic rods 33 are activated, extending to drive the drive frame 32 to move to the left. At this time, the guide rod 37 is located in the inclined groove of the guide groove inside the drive frame 32. When the drive frame 32 moves to the left, it pulls the two guide rods 37 to move to the left. The leftward movement of the two guide rods 37 simultaneously drives the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to move to the left through the connecting rod 36. As the two guide rods 37 continue to move to the left, they are aligned with the downward inclined groove of the guide plate 35. After the groove contacts, the inclined groove will limit the position of the guide rod 37. Under the action of the drive frame 32 continuously moving to the left, the guide rod 37 drives the connecting rod 36 to rotate, so that the guide rod 37 completely enters the downward inclined groove of the guide groove in the guide plate 35. After entering the inclined groove, the guide rod 37 is located in the straight groove of the guide groove in the drive frame 32. When the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left, under the limiting action of the inclined groove in the guide plate 35, the guide rod 37 drives the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to not move through the connecting rod 36. At this time, the material tray 6 is located at the bottom of the pressure block 44.

[0108] Step S3, combined with step S2, when the drive frame 32 continues to move to the left, under the action of the guide groove that cooperates with the guide wheel 45 in the drive frame 32, the two guide wheels 45 will drive the compaction frame 42 to move downward, the buffer spring 46 will contract, the compaction frame 42 will move downward, and in turn, the adjusting screw 43 and the pressure block 44 will move downward, thereby compacting the mixture in the material tray 6.

[0109] In step S4, after compacting the mixture in the material tray 6 in conjunction with step S3, the drive frame 32 is moved to the right by retracting the two electric telescopic rods 33. Under the action of the guide groove that works with the guide wheel 45, the drive frame 32 will first drive the guide wheel 45, the compaction frame 42, the pressure block 44 and the guide rod 41 to move upward, and reset the pressure block 44.

[0110] Step S5, combined with step S4, after the pressure block 44 is reset, the drive frame 32 continues to move to the right. When the inclined groove of the internal guide groove contacts the guide rod 37, it will pull the guide rod 37 away from the inclined groove of the guide plate 35, so that the guide rod 37 enters the inclined groove of the guide groove inside the drive frame 32. The inclined groove is used to limit the guide rod 37 again, and then the drive frame 32 moves to the right to drive the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to reset to the right.

[0111] In step S6, combined with step S2, when the drive frame 32 moves to the left, it will simultaneously drive the two toothed plates 76 at the top to move to the left. The two toothed plates 76 moving to the left will drive the two gears 75 to rotate clockwise. The clockwise rotation of the two gears 75 will drive the rotating rod 72 to rotate clockwise. The rotating rod 72 will drive the scraper 73 and the collection box 74 to rotate clockwise, so that the scraper 73 is tilted to the right. When the drive frame 32 drives the material tray 6 to move to the left and passes the scraper 73, the scraper 73 will be used to scrape the mixture in the material tray 6 to level it.

[0112] In step S7, please refer to step S4. When the mixture is compacted, the drive frame 32 moves to the right and resets the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6. At the same time, the drive frame 32 will drive the two toothed plates 76 to move to the right. When the two toothed plates 76 contact the gear 75 and continue to move to the right, the toothed plates 76 will drive the gear 75 to rotate counterclockwise. The gear 75 will then drive the rotating rod 72, scraper 73 and collection box 74 to rotate counterclockwise, thereby resetting the scraper 73.

[0113] Step S8: When the mixture in the tray 6 has been compacted and the tray 6 has completed its rightward reset, the electric telescopic rod 33 is controlled to continue retracting, thereby driving the drive frame 32, the placement seat 34 and the tray 6 to continue moving to the right. During the rightward movement of the placement seat 34, the two reciprocating frames 83 will also move to the right. The rightward movement of the two reciprocating frames 83 will drive the two rollers 86 at the bottom to move to the right. With the cooperation of the convex plate 82, the rollers 86 will drive the reciprocating frames 83 and the top plate 84 to move upward during the rightward movement, and cause the reset spring 85 to contract. The upward movement of the two top plates 84 will drive the tray 6 to move upward, pushing the tray 6 out of the placement seat 34, thereby replacing the tray 6.

[0114] In step S9, in conjunction with step S8, when the drive frame 32 moves to the right to replace the material tray 6, the drive frame 32 moves to the right, which simultaneously drives the two toothed plates 76 to move to the right. The two toothed plates 76 move to the right, which in turn continuously drives the gear 75 and the rotating rod 72 to rotate counterclockwise. The rotating rod 72 then continuously drives the scraper 73 and the collection box 74 to rotate counterclockwise, causing the right side of the scraper 73 to tilt upward, so that the mixture collected on the surface of the scraper 73 falls into the collection box 74.

[0115] In step S10, in conjunction with step S8, after the replacement of the material tray 6 is completed, the electric telescopic rod 33 is extended to the left, thereby driving the drive frame 32, the placement seat 34 and the material tray 6 to move to the left. The leftward movement of the placement seat 34 drives the reciprocating frame 83 and the roller 86 to move to the left. Under the expansion force of the return spring 85, the reciprocating frame 83 will drive the top plate 84 to move downward, so that the replaced material tray 6 falls into the placement seat 34. When the material tray 6 falls into the placement seat 34, the material tray 6 is located at the bottom of the discharge pipe 11, waiting to receive the mixed material from the mixing box 1. At this time, the scraper 73 will return to the horizontal state.

[0116] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made under the concept of the present invention using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A process for removing impurities and recovering lithium and aluminum metal using lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step S1: The impurity slag generated during the preparation of lithium carbonate from spodumene and the lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte generated during aluminum electrolysis are crushed, ground and sieved respectively, and dried after sieving for later use. Step S2: Weigh the dried spodumene slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte and mix them. After mixing, transfer the mixture to a corundum crucible or stainless steel tray and then put the mixture into a muffle furnace for calcination. Step S3: After cooling the calcined mixed clinker, crush it. Mix the refined clinker with sodium hydroxide solution in a certain proportion, place it in a constant temperature water bath and stir to leach. The solid and liquid are separated to obtain filter residue A and filtrate A. After washing with water multiple times to make it neutral, filter residue A is used as a building material. The washing liquid is used for recycling or for preparing concentrated sodium hydroxide solution. Step S4: After mixing filtrate A and the washing solution from step S3, add dilute hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH value to 8-9, place it in a constant temperature water bath and stir to react, so that aluminum hydroxide precipitates out. After solid-liquid separation, filter residue B and filtrate B are obtained. After drying, filter residue B is placed in a muffle furnace for calcination to obtain aluminum oxide. Step S5: After the filtrate B is concentrated, it is mixed with sodium carbonate solution. After mixing, it is placed in a constant temperature water bath and stirred to react. Solid-liquid separation is performed to obtain filter residue C, whose main component is lithium carbonate, and filtrate C. Step S6: Decarbonize the filtrate C. Transfer the decarbonized solution to an evaporating dish and heat it until a large amount of crystal film appears. Then stop heating and allow it to cool naturally to room temperature. Sodium sulfate crystals will precipitate. Filter the solution using a vacuum pump, collect the crystals, wash them with a small amount of ethanol, and finally dry them to obtain anhydrous sodium sulfate.

2. A mixing and transfer device, characterized in that, The mixing and transfer equipment is used in step S2 of the process for recovering lithium and aluminum metal from impurity slag and lithium-rich aluminum electrolyte as described in claim 1. During the mixing and transfer of materials, it includes a mixing box, a mounting frame, a feeding mechanism, and a compaction mechanism. The feeding mechanism includes a mounting plate fixed to the top of the mounting frame. A drive frame is slidably connected to the inner side of the mounting plate. A side plate is fixed to the right side of the mounting frame. Two electric telescopic rods are fixed to the left side of the side plate and at the bottom of the drive frame. The output ends of the two electric telescopic rods are fixedly connected to the bottom of the drive frame. A placement seat is provided on the right side of the top of the drive frame. A material tray is provided inside the placement seat. Two guide plates are fixed to the top of the mounting plate and inside the drive frame. Connecting rods are rotatably connected to the front and back of the placement seat. Guide rods are rotatably connected to the opposite sides of the bottom of the two connecting rods. The two guide rods are located inside the drive frame and the guide plates. The compaction mechanism includes two guide rods that are vertically slidably connected inside the mounting plate. A compaction frame is fixed at the top of the two guide rods. An adjusting screw is vertically threaded inside the compaction frame. A pressure block is fixed at the bottom of the adjusting screw. Two guide wheels are rotatably connected to the inner side of the compaction frame. The two guide wheels are located inside the drive frame. A buffer spring is sleeved on the circumferential side of the two guide rods and at the top of the mounting plate.

3. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner sides of both the drive frame and the guide plate are provided with guide grooves that cooperate with the guide rod. The guide groove on the inner side of the drive frame consists of a straight groove and an upwardly inclined groove, and the diameter of the straight groove is larger than the diameter of the guide rod. The guide groove on the inner side of the guide plate consists of a straight groove and a downwardly inclined groove.

4. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The pressure block has the same diameter as the inside of the material tray. When the material tray moves to the bottom of the pressure block, the material in the material tray is compacted by the downward movement of the pressure block. The inner side of the drive frame is provided with a guide groove that works with two guide wheels. The guide groove consists of a straight groove and a downward inclined groove on the right side.

5. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, A leveling mechanism is fixedly provided on the top of the mounting plate. The leveling mechanism includes two mounting brackets fixedly on the top of the mounting plate. A rotating rod is rotatably connected to one side of each of the two mounting brackets. A scraper is fixedly provided on one side of each of the two rotating rods. A collection box is fixedly provided on the left side of the bottom of the scraper. Gears are fixedly provided on the circumferential sides of each of the two rotating rods and on the inner side of each of the two mounting brackets. Two toothed plates are fixedly provided on the top of the drive frame. The two toothed plates mesh with the two gears respectively.

6. The hybrid transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, An ejection mechanism is fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate. The ejection mechanism includes a horizontal plate fixedly provided on the left side of the side plate. Two protruding plates are fixedly provided on the top of the horizontal plate. Two reciprocating frames are vertically slidably connected inside the placement seat. A top plate is fixedly provided on the top of each of the two reciprocating frames. A return spring is sleeved on the surface of each of the two reciprocating frames and located at the bottom of the placement seat. Rollers are rotatably connected to the inner side of the bottom of each of the two reciprocating frames. The bottom of each of the two rollers contacts the top of the two protruding plates respectively.

7. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The tops of the two electric telescopic rods are fixedly connected to the bottom of the horizontal plate. The two top plates are located at the bottom of the side edge of the material tray. The interior of the placement seat has a through hole for use with the material tray, and the interior of the placement seat has a groove for use with the two top plates.

8. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mixing chamber is vertically rotatably connected to a mixing mechanism, which includes a mixing shaft vertically rotatably connected to the inside of the mixing chamber. A mixing paddle is fixed on the circumferential side of the mixing shaft and inside the mixing chamber. A mixing motor that drives the mixing shaft to rotate is provided on the top of the mixing chamber.

9. The mixing and transfer device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The top of the mixing box is connected to two feed pipes, the bottom of the mixing box is connected to a discharge pipe, the discharge pipe is located on top of the material tray, and four support legs are fixed on the periphery of the mixing box.

Images