Metal
and Metalworking Industry - Lithium Chemicals
Process:
A process for producing lithium carbonate from Indian
lithium bearing mineral -Lepidolite.
Uses:
Applications in -ceramics, steel, as fluxing agent,
glass lining of water heaters, glass, production of
other lithium chemicals including lithium metal.
Salient Features:
The process involves roasting of ground ore (lepidolite
-2.5 to 4% Li2O) with alkali sulphate followed by water
leaching and subsequently treating with carbonate salt.
The recovery of lithium and purity of lithium carbonate
from this process was obtained as 90-92% and 98% respectively.
Environmental
considerations: NML process is environmentally
friendly.
Scale of Development:
2 kg/ day Lithium carbonate
Commercialisation
Status: The process know-how, with demand supply
estimations, and techno-economics of the process was
transferred to an entrepreneur M/s. Lithochem Giridih
in Bihar for 30 tpa lithium carbonate.
Major Raw Materials:
Lepidolite, alkali sulphate, carbonate salts, water,
steam etc.
Major Plant
Equipment/Machinery: High temperature continuous
furnace, constant stirred tank reactor, solid-liquid
separation unit.
Techno-Economics:
For 30 tpa lithium carbonate by NML process based on
100% capacity utilization, the return on investment
will be 40%.
Technology Package:Include
(a) Process know-how,
(b) Details of equipments,
(c) Broad specifications for equipments.
Consultancy for operation and installation
of the plant on separate terms.
Released Through:
NML/CSIR
Contact Director
National Metallurgical Laboratory
Jamshedpur - 831007, India
