The Most Effective Lithium Ore Processing Method You Must Know

Typical lithium ore is divided into 5 kinds of spodumene (containing Li2O 5.80%-8.10%), petalite (containing Li2O 2.90%-4.80%), lepidolite (containing Li2O 3.20%-6.45%), Zinnwaldite (containing Li2O 1.10%-5.00%), and lepidolite (containing Li2O 7.10%-10.10%). The more common ones are spodumene and lepidolite.

1. Building an efficient lithium ore processing plant

It mainly includes a crushing line, grinding line, beneficiation line, and some auxiliary equipment.

The most commonly used production equipment is a crusher (jaw crusher, impact crusher, cone crusher), ball mill, flotation machine or magnetic separator, etc.

How to choose an efficient beneficiation method needs to be determined according to the ore properties and actual needs.

2. Crushing production line

First, lithium ore goes through a crushing and grinding process in turn to produce a uniform fine particle size.

1. When crushing, use a jaw crusher for primary crushing, and then use a cone crusher for fine crushing.
2. When grinding, use a ball mill.

As proper grinding fineness is crucial to the flotation results, the particle size generally needs to be ground to less than 0.15 mm for a better flotation effect.

3. Beneficiation production line

Many industries, especially the battery industry, require high-grade lithium carbonate, and the removal of iron, magnesium, and other harmful minerals is key to these high-value markets.

To improve the lithium ore grade, a beneficiation process is required. Flotation is the main method for producing lithium concentrate. Other methods like magnetic separation and chemical methods play an auxiliary role.

3.1 Flotation separation

Flotation is the main method of separating lithium ore at present. There are two flotation processes: one is positive flotation and the other is reverse flotation. Flotation is done in an alkaline environment, as it not only has a good flotation result but also protects the flotation machine.

a. Positive flotation method

Add strong alkali (such as sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate) for flotation after the lithium ore is ground.

After high-concentration, strong stirring, and multiple scrubbing in an alkaline medium, oleic acid, and its soaps are added as collectors to float lithium concentrate, leaving gangue minerals in the tank. This process does not require inhibitors.

b. Reverse flotation method

Use lime to create an alkaline environment, and add regulators like starch and dextrin to inhibit the floating of lithium ore. At the same time, use cationic collectors to make silicate gangue minerals float to the surface of the slurry, and the products in the flotation tank are lithium concentrate.

If the lithium ore contains iron minerals, a foaming agent (such as HF, or resinate) can be added to further help remove impurities such as iron minerals.

3.2 Magnetic separation method

Commonly used magnetic separators are vertical ring pulsating high gradient magnetic separators and wet magnetic separators.

For example, spodumene concentrate produced by flotation in North Carolina, USA, is high in iron. It can only be sold as a chemical-grade concentrate. To meet the requirements of the ceramic industry, the plant uses magnetic separation to remove iron.

In addition, due to the weak magnetic properties of lepidolite, magnetic separation can be used as the main method to produce concentrate.

Jordan is the writer of the blog with a broad knowledge of this industry. He hopes to help you in your projects sincerely. Here is the website: https://www.ftmmachinery.com/