Senarmontite volatilization kinetics in nitrogen atmosphere at roasting/melting temperatures

The volatilization kinetics of senarmontite（Sb_2O_3） was analyzed in a neutral atmosphere in two temperature ranges： 550-615 °C（roasting temperature） and 660-1100 °C（melting temperature） by using a thermogravimetric analysis method under various gas flow rates and using a 1.3 m L ceramic crucible（11 mm in internal diameter and 14 mm in height）. The effect of particle size was also analyzed. The experimental results of mass loss data, X-ray diffraction（XRD） analysis of partially reacted samples and thermodynamic studies indicate that the senarmontite becomes volatile in the form of Sb_4O_6（g） without the formation of any intermediary compound in the entire temperature range. At roasting temperatures, the volatilization kinetics of Sb_2O_3 was analyzed using the model X=kappt. The volatilization reaction was controlled by the surface chemical reaction and an activation energy value of 193.0 k J/mol was obtained in this temperature range. Based on the volatilization kinetics at the melting temperatures, for linear behaviour in nitrogen gas, kinetic constants were determined, and an activation energy of 73.9 k J/mol was calculated for the volatilization reaction with a surface area of 8.171×10^（-5）m^2.

Oxidation and roasting characteristics of artificial magnetite pellets

Compared with natural magnetite concentrate, artificial magnetite with more lattice defects and higher activity tends to be oxidized. And the artificial magnetite pellet at the temperature of 400℃ has the oxidation degree approaching to natural magnetite concentrate pellet fired at 1000℃. Besides, two kinds of pellets displayed quite different roasting characteristics. When preheated at the same temperature for the same period of time, natural magnetite concentrate pellet and artificial magnetite concentrate pellet need to be roasted at the temperature of 1100℃ and 1250℃, respectively, for 25 min to reach the compressive strength of 3000 N per pellet. When roasted at the same temperature of 1200℃, natural magnetite pellet and artificial magnetite pellet need to be roasted for 15 min and 30 min, respectively, to reach the compressive strength over 3000 N per pellet. It can be seen from the test that artificial magnetite pellet has a faster oxidation, resulting in the high porosity in the produced pellet, and it requires a roasting process at higher temperature for a longer time to reach the desired compressive strength for industrial production.

Extraction of lithium from the simulated pyrometallurgical slag of spent lithium-ion batteries by binary eutectic molten carbonates

The effective and low-temperature extraction of lithium from the pyrometallurgical slag of spent lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)remains a great challenge.Herein,potassium carbonate/sodium carbonate(K_(2)CO_(3)/Na_(2)CO_(3)),which could form a eutectic molten salt system at 720℃,was used as a roasting agent to extract lithium from pyrometallurgical slag.Lithium was successfully extracted from the slag by K_(2)CO_(3)/Na_(2)CO_(3) roasting followed by water leaching.Theoretical calculation results indicate that the lengths of Li-O bonds increase after K^(+)/Na^(+)adsorption,resulting in the easy release of Li^(+)from the LiAlSi_(2)O_(6) lattice after roasting with K_(2)CO_(3)/Na_(2)CO_(3).Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the eutectic phenomenon of K_(2)CO_(3) and Na_(2)CO_(3) could be observed at 720℃ and that the reaction of the slag and eutectic molten salts occurs at temperatures above 720℃.X-ray diffraction results suggest that Li^(+)in the slag is exchanged by K^(+)in K_(2)CO_(3) with the concurrent formation of KAlSiO_(4),while Na_(2)CO_(3) mainly functions as a fluxing agent.The lithium extraction efficiency can reach 93.87%under the optimal conditions of a roasting temperature of 740℃,roasting time of 30 min,leaching temperature of 50℃,leaching time of 40 min,and water/roasted sample mass ratio of 10:1.This work provides a new system for extracting lithium from the pyrometallurgical slag of spent LIBs.