Comprehensive utilization of spodumene ore through pyrometallurgical process with Fe2O3 addition

The carbothermal reduction process of spodumene ore effectively separates Al and Si components from spodumene ore while also extracting lithium (Li). The high value-added sputum heat reduction process of spodumene ore was proposed. Fe2O3 was used as an auxiliary agent. Si is combined with Fe to form Si-Fe alloy and Al is enriched in the slag. The experimental results showed that the addition of Fe2O3 could significantly promote the carbothermal reduction of spodumene ore, when the mass ratio of Fe/Si is not less than 2. Experiments confirmed that the optimal experimental conditions were 1823 K and heated for 8 h. During the reduction process, the reduction rate of Li was higher than 90%, and the direct yield of Si-Fe alloy was higher than 85%. In addition, the content of Li in dust could reach 29.5%, about 16 times that of the spodumene ore.

Automated summary

The carbothermal reduction process of spodumene ore effectively separates Al and Si components from spodumene ore while also extracting lithium (Li). The high value-added sputum heat reduction process of spodumene ore was proposed. Fe2O3 was used as an auxiliary agent. Si is combined with Fe to form Si-Fe alloy and Al is enriched in the slag. The experimental results showed that the addition of Fe2O3 could significantly promote the carbothermal reduction of spodumene ore, when the mass ratio of Fe/Si is not less than 2. Experiments confirmed that the optimal experimental conditions were 1823 K and heated for 8 h. During the reduction process, the reduction rate of Li was higher than 90%, and the direct yield of Si-Fe alloy was higher than 85%. In addition, the content of Li in dust could reach 29.5%, about 16 times that of the spodumene ore.