Efficient extraction and recovery of lithium from waste aluminum cryolite electrolyte

Release time:2023-06-09

Impact Factor:13.716

DOI number:10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107070

Journal:Resources, Conservation & Recycling

Key Words:Waste aluminum cryolite electrolyte； Lithium recycling； Sulfated roasting； Calcine water-leaching； Aluminum removal； Lithium fluoride

Abstract:The accumulation of alkali metals in cryolite electrolyte has negative impacts on the operation of aluminum electrolysis, and part of electrolytes need to be periodically replaced and discharged. A cleaner and efficient process was proposed to recover LiF and Al2(SO4)3 from the waste cryolite electrolyte. Under the optimum sulfated roasting conditions, 87.55% of Li and 30.30% of Al were leached. The obtained cryolite residue with a low molecular ratio could be returned to the aluminum electrolysis system. The addition of sodium benzoate achieved the efficient separation of Al3+ from Li-containing leachate, and the Al precipitation ratio was 99.78%. Acid leaching of the aluminum precipitate regenerated benzoic acid and recovered 99.62% of Al2(SO4)3. Finally high-purity cubic LiF was prepared from Li2SO4 solution, and the recovery of LiF was 98.78%.

Indexed by:Journal paper

Document Code:107070

Discipline:Engineering

First-Level Discipline:Metallurgical Engineering

Document Type:J

Volume:197

Translation or Not:no

Date of Publication:2023-05-29

Included Journals:SSCI、SCI、EI