Lithium Phosphate Production From Ore Without Carbonate Intermediates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting lithium from lithium-containing ores involve multiple steps, including the production of lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, which complicates the process and reduces productivity.
Innovation Solution
A direct method for producing lithium phosphate and sulfate from lithium-containing ores by heat treatment, roasting with sulfuric acid, leaching, purifying the leachate, and adding phosphorus and basic materials to obtain solid lithium phosphate, followed by reacting with sulfuric acid to produce lithium sulfate, and using a bipolar electrodialyzer to convert lithium sulfate into lithium hydroxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to extract lithium from lithium-containing ores, then lithium can be obtained, but the process requires multiple steps including production of lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide which complicates the process and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate steps of producing lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide from the conventional lithium extraction process. By directly converting lithium-containing materials into lithium sulfate through acid roasting and leaching, the method removes unnecessary intermediate conversion steps, thereby simplifying the overall process and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary heat treatment to lithium-containing ores before acid roasting to convert the ore structure and improve lithium extraction efficiency. This preliminary action prepares the material in advance for the main extraction process, enabling direct production of lithium sulfate without requiring subsequent conversion to carbonate or hydroxide forms.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple intermediate steps are used in lithium extraction, then lithium compounds can be obtained, but the recovery rate and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a continuous extraction process where lithium-containing materials are directly converted to lithium sulfate through acid roasting and leaching without interruption by intermediate conversion steps. This continuous action maintains high lithium recovery rates while minimizing process time by eliminating idle conversion stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lithium extraction process into distinct functional stages: heat treatment, acid roasting with sulfuric acid, leaching, and purification. Each segment is optimized for its specific function, allowing direct production of lithium sulfate with high recovery rate and reduced overall processing time compared to conventional multi-step methods.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method simplifies the process by eliminating intermediate steps, enhances productivity, and improves the recovery rate of lithium compounds.
Implementation Method 1
adding the aqueous solution of lithium sulfate to a bipolar electrodialyzer to obtain an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide
Implementation Method 2
bipolar electrodialyzer
Implementation Method 3
heat treatment of lithium-containing ore; the heat treatment temperature may be 1000 to 1250° C.
Implementation Method 4
roasting the heat-treated ore with sulfuric acid to prepare an acid product; the roasting temperature may be 150 to 250° C.
Implementation Method 5
roasting the heat-treated ore with sulfuric acid
Implementation Method 6
mixing the acid product with leaching water to prepare a leachate
Implementation Method 7
separating primary impurities including Al, Si or a combination thereof by adjusting the pH of the leachate to 5 to 8
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lithium compound manufacturing method comprising the steps of heat treatment of lithium-containing ore; roasting the heat-treated ore with sulfuric acid to prepare an acid product; mixing the acid product with leaching water to prepare a leachate; purifying the leachate; and adding a phosphorus supply material and a basic material to the purified leachate to obtain a solid lithium phosphate.