Lithium is extracted from two main types of deposits: spodumene (a lithium-containing mineral) and lithium-rich brine deposits.
Lithium is extracted from hard rock ore, typically found in pegmatite formations. Open-pit or underground mining methods are used.
After the ore is mined and crushed, it is heated and chemically treated to form a slurry. This slurry is then filtered and concentrated through evaporation to yield market-ready lithium carbonate. The separation of lithium involves two key methods: gravity separation, which uses density differences between lithium-rich spodumene and surrounding rocks, and flotation separation, which adjusts the surface properties of minerals with specialized reagents to help lithium-rich particles adhere to air bubbles.
Concentrated spodumene ore is heated to transform it into a more reactive form. The concentrate then goes through calcination where it is heated in a kiln to convert the spodumene from alpha to beta form. The beta-spodumene is then mixed with sulfuric acid, leached with water, and treated with sodium carbonate to yield lithium carbonate. Occasionally, hydrochloric acid is used to convert lithium carbonate into lithium chloride.
Lithium is extracted from saline brine deposits found in salt flats, primarily using evaporation ponds.
01
Evaporation Ponds
The lithium-rich brine is pumped into large evaporation ponds. Solar evaporation concentrates the lithium over several months, precipitating other salts.
02
Chemical Treatment
The concentrated brine undergoes chemical treatment to remove impurities and recover lithium as lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide.
Lithium is precipitated from the solution as lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide through the addition of chemicals like sodium carbonate or lime. The precipitated lithium compounds are further purified to remove any remaining impurities. The lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide is dissolved in water and recrystallized to achieve high purity levels. Commercial lithium production primarily relies on pumping salt-rich water from underground brine reservoirs to the surface, where it evaporates over several months in expansive ponds. This process leaves behind a brine with a high lithium concentration. The brine is carefully purified to remove contaminants, chemically treated to eliminate by-products, and filtered to remove solids. The final steps include precipitating lithium carbonate, washing, and drying it to yield the finished product.
Knife Gate Valves are crucial in various stages of the lithium extraction process, particularly in handling slurry, pulp, and other abrasive materials. Common areas you would find our Knife Gate Valves include:
• Provides reliability in slurry isolation across the entire plant:
o Concentration Plants: Flotation Cells, Cyclones, Thickeners, etc
o WHIMS, Magnetic & Gravity Separation
o Heap Leach Plants (Spodumene)
o Brine Processing Plants (Brine Deposits)
o Solvent Extraction (SX)
o Tailings Distribution Lines & Spigots
• Full body liner protects the valve body from slurry and leach solutions, increasing the life of the valve
• Rotable; easily refurbishable on site as the liner is replaceable
• Gate Options: 316 SS, 2205 Duplex, 2507 Super Duplex, Hastelloy C276, Hastelloy C22, etc
• Fully enclosed body does not discharge during operation, eliminating contamination of the surrounding environment
• Available in Class #150 and Class #300 ratings
• Meets MSS SP-135 Standards
• Successfully operate in:
o High Density Tailings
o Abrasive and turbulent slurries
• Features identical inlet and outlet seat rings that incorporate a soft primary seat and a hardened secondary seat to improve sealing and service life
o Seat Ring Options: Hardened Steel, Ceramic Lined, other anti-abrasion materials, etc to suit the process conditions
• Rotable; easily refurbishable on site
• Fully enclosed body does not discharge during operation, eliminating contamination of the surrounding environment
• Available in 10 bar or Class #150 ratings
• Body and Gate Options: 316 SS, DI, CS, 2205 Duplex, 2507 Super Duplex, Hastelloy C276, etc
• Features a soft primary seat and a metal secondary seat to improve sealing and service life
• Rotable; easily refurbishable on site
• Fully enclosed body does not discharge during operation, eliminating contamination of the surrounding environment
Lithium mining is a demanding valve application due to the highly abrasive and sometimes hypersaline nature of the slurry. Reliability can be difficult to achieve and implemented valves should be carefully considered. Our KGI series knife gate valve has successfully proven to be highly reliable; operating for extended periods with minimal maintenance in this application.
We understand the need to offer choices for our customers and offer a range of valves, price points and services.
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