Kinetics of leaching lithium from lepidolite using mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid

The fluorine-based chemical method shows great potential in leaching lithium(Li) from lepidolite. Leaching kinetics of Li in a mixture of sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid, which is a typical lixivant for the fluorine-based chemical method, was carried out under crucial factors such as different HF/ore ratios(1:1-3:1 g/mL) and leaching temperatures(50-85℃). The kinetics data fit well with the developed shrinking-core model, indicating that the leaching rate of Li was controlled by the chemical reaction and inner diffusion at the beginning of leaching(0-30 min) as a calculated apparent activation energy(Ea) of 20.62 kJ/mol. The inner diffusion became the rate-limiting step as the leaching continues(60-180 min). Moreover, effects of HF/ore ratio and leaching temperature on selective leaching behavior of Li, Al and Si were discussed. 90% of fluorine mainly existed as HF/F-in leaching solution, which can provide theoretical guidance for further removal or recovery of F.

Kinetics of leaching lithium from α-spodumene in enhanced acid treatment using HF/H_2SO_4 as medium

An enhanced leaching of Li fromα-spodumene was carried out using a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulfuric acid(HF/H2SO4)as the medium.Based on the optimized leaching conditions,the leaching kinetics of Li was investigated in an ore/HF/H2SO4 ratio of 1:3:2 g:mL:mL with leaching temperature ranging from 50 to 100°C.The results indicate that the leaching kinetics of Li fitted well with a model based on the shrinking core model.In addition,the leaching rate of Li was controlled by chemical reactions and diffusion through the product layers.The apparent activation energy Ea was calculated to be 32.68 kJ/mol.Solid films were formed because of the generation of insoluble products such as cryolithionite(Na3Li2Al2F12),cryolite(Na3AlF6),calcium fluoride(CaF2),potassium cryolite(K2AlF5),aluminum fluoride(AlF3),and fluorosilicates(Na2SiF6 or KNaSiF6).Furthermore,the effects of the ore/HF ratio and leaching temperature on the leaching behavior of Li,Al and Si were investigated.The results indicate that the ore/HF ratio and leaching temperature could clearly affect the distribution of HF molecules on the leaching of Li,Al and Si,which are important for the selective leaching of Li over Al and Si with this fluorine-based chemical method.