LITHIUM RECOVERY FROM SLAGS
    2.
    发明公开

    公开(公告)号:EP4372108A1

    公开(公告)日:2024-05-22

    申请号:EP23163519.4

    申请日:2023-03-22

    申请人: Umicore

    摘要: Li-bearing slags are typically produced when Li-batteries or their waste are recycled on a smelter. The Li recovery process comprises the steps of:
    - powdering the metallurgical slag to a particle size distribution having a D50 of less than 100 µm;
    - contacting, in an aqueous medium, the Li-containing metallurgical slag, and an alkaline Ca-compound, provided in amounts selected to obtain a molar ratio of the Ca in the Ca-compound to Li in the slag of at least 0.75, thereby obtaining a suspension;
    - heating the suspension to a temperature of more than 80 °C for at least 30 min, thereby obtaining a leached suspension; and,
    - separating solids from liquids in the leached suspension, thereby obtaining a leach solution containing a major part of the Li, and a solid residue containing Ca.
    This alkaline leaching process allows for a straightforward recovery of battery-grade LiOH from the leach solution, while consuming less reagents than known acidic leaching processes.