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Abstract:
Since the leaching solution of lepidolite contained a great amount of aluminum after lithium extraction, how to remove or recover effectively would definitely affect the cost for lithium extraction. The comprehensive analysis was made on the merits and shortcomings of the traditional methods: alkali, acid and solvent extraction methods. Then a more effective way was proposed: recovered aluminum by alums formation with K+ or other components contained in the leaching solution. The cost for lithium extraction would be decreased by producing value added co-products such as potassium alum. The Li2SO4- Al2(SO4)3-H2O and K2SO4- Al2(SO4)3- H2O ternary systems were the subsystem of the featured system of the leaching solution. The phase equilibria in the Li2SO4- Al2(SO4) 3-H2O and K2SO4- Al2(SO4)3-H2O ternary systems at 5°C were investigated with isothermal equilibrium method. The phase equilibria investigation could provide fundamental data and instruction for lithium extraction, which was important for alum formation to recover aluminum. The solid phase was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Based on the solubility data, the phase diagrams were plotted. The crystallized fields also were determined. The phase diagrams showed that K2SO4 and Al2(SO4)3 could form potassium alum (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O) in a large range of concentration, while it seemed that Li2SO4 and Al2(SO4)3 could not form double salts. The investigation indicated that Li+ and Al3+ could not form alum, but K+ and Al3+ could form potassium alum easily. Therefore, the aluminum could be recovered by regulating K+, Li+ and Al3+ concentration to form alums. Thus, the aluminum was recovered as high value co-products, and lithium and potassium could be separated preliminarily. The alum formation method could decrease costs and enlarge profit for lithium extraction, which had significant practical meaning for lithium extraction.
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Chinese Journal of Rare Metals
ISSN: 0258-7076
Year: 2014
Issue: 1
Volume: 38
Page: 102-107
Cited Count:
SCOPUS Cited Count:
ESI Highly Cited Papers on the List: 0 Unfold All
WanFang Cited Count:
Chinese Cited Count:
30 Days PV: 5
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