Simple process for lithium extraction from α-spodumene with potassium fluoride: Modeling and optimization

ROSALES, GUSTAVO D.; RESENTERA, ALEXANDER C.; BRAGA, PAULO F.A.; ESQUIVEL, MARCELO R.; RODRIGUEZ, MARIO H.

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN

INST CHEMICAL ENGINEERS

Año: 2023 vol. 191 p. 319 - 324

0263-8762

New developments in energy storage technologies have positioned lithium as a critical energy element worldwide. For this reason, it is relevant to investigate new processes that exploit Li resources comprehensively and efficiently. This work describes a simple methodology for Li extraction by solid-solid reaction between α-spodumene and KF and subsequent leaching. The operational parameters investigated were: temperature, calcination time, and amount of fluorinating agent. The process efficiency was analyzed through Design of Experiments (DOE) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to obtain a predictive model of the system. Optimal Li extraction of 94% was achieved at 779 °C, 43 min, with a KF/spodumene ratio of 0.56 w/w.