FUNDABAC®
Sophisticated flexible filtration solutions
DrM
FUNDAMIX®
Agitation by oscillation without rotation
Technical Presentation Paper
FUNDABAC® Filter for the production of Lithium Carbonate
Backround
Lithium is found in very low concentrations in igneous
rocks. The largest concentrations of lithium-containing
minerals are found in granitic pegmatites. The most
important of these minerals are spodumene (Li02,
Al20.4Si02) and petalite (Li20, Al203.8Si02).
Spodumene has a theoretical Li20 content of 8.03%.
Due to its high lithium content, spodumene is considered
the most important lithium ore mineral.
Lithium can be extracted from spodumene
concentrates to form lithium sulphate which is
soluble in water. Typically this lithium concentrate is
then used to produce lithium carbonate or lithium
hydroxide which are reagents used within the
lithium battery industry.
Lithium Carbonate Production
Within Lithium Carbonate Production there are two filtration steps:
The lithium sulphate is first treated. Filtrate from the water leach belt filter is fed to the 2nd stage
purification tank. There, its pH will be increased using soda ash and caustic soda. The pH
increase will cause metals such as Mn, Zn, Ca and Mg to precipitate. The slurry is then pumped
to the 2nd stage purification filter to remove the precipitated solids. The filtrate is pumped to an
ion exchange circuit to remove other contaminants and passes on to lithium carbonate
precipitation.
A bicarbonate polishing circuit is used to improve the lithium carbonate purity. In this circuit, the
lithium carbonate reacts with CO2 and is converted to soluble lithium bicarbonate. Any
unreacted solids (remaining impurities and undissolved lithium carbonate) are removed by
filtration. The filtrate passes on to lithium bicarbonate decomposition. Solids are returned to the
leach circuit or to tailings if they are see separated from the filtrate.
Advantages of FUNDABAC® Filter
Within the lithium sulphate and bicarbonate circuits it is critical
that fouling of the ion exchange and reverse osmosis circuits
does not occur as they are very sensitive to impurities and
metals. The FUNDABAC® Filter removes 99.9% of solid
particulate 1µm and larger and can ensure that these
downstream equipment are not adversely affected. Due to the
ability of the FUNDABAC® filter to wash and dry the cake of
solids, the loss of valuable lithium carbonate and lithium
sulphate can be reduced to negligible amounts. This also
allows for solids to be taken directly to tailings rather than
returned to the leach circuit.
DrM, Dr. Mueller AG
Switzerland
Tel.+41 44 921 2121
[email protected]
www.drm.ch
APP #009 Rev.0 / 2014-12-19