Refining of crude Li2CO3 via slurry phase dissolution using CO2

Refining of crude Li2CO3 produced from salt lake brines of Qinghai, China, by direct carbonation with CO2-water solutions under different conditions was studied. The process is based on the reaction of Li2CO3 with CO2-water solutions to convert the former to the more soluble lithium bicarbonate. The carbonation experiments were carried out in a three-phase mechanically agitated slurry-bed reactor. The parameters that may affect the dissolution of Li2CO3 in CO2-water solution such as CO2 pressure, temperature, CO2 flow rate, solid concentration, particle size of Li2CO3, slurry filling degree, agitator shape and agitation speed were investigated. The effects of immersion time of Li2CO3 in the slurry before carbonation as well as multiple carbonation cycles were also examined. Refining of crude Li2CO3 produced from salt lake brines of Qinghai, China, by direct carbonation with CO2-water solutions under different conditions was studied. The process is based on the reaction of Li2CO3 with CO2-water solutions to convert the former to the more soluble lithium bicarbonate. The carbonation experiments were carried out in a three-phase mechanically agitated slurry-bed reactor. The parameters that may affect the dissolution of Li2CO3 in CO2-water solution such as CO2 pressure, temperature, CO2 flow rate, solid concentration, particle size of Li2CO3, slurry filling degree, agitator shape and agitation speed were investigated. The effects of immersion time of Li2CO3 in the slurry before carbonation as well as multiple carbonation cycles were also examined.