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