The source of lithium in Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China:evidence from hydrochemical characteristics and boron isotope

The availability of lithium resources is of great significance for the development of modern technologies,as well as for civil and military industries.The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is a region known for its abundance of lithium-rich salt lakes.However,the specific origin of lithium in these lakes is still unknown,which hinders the advancement of the lithium resource business in this region.To research this issue,this study involved the collection of 20 samples from Lakkor Co Salt Lake on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,encompassing samples of surface brine,cold springs,fresh lakes,and recharge rivers.The composition of anions and cations in these samples was determined.Furthermore,the analysis extensivelyutilizedthePiperthree-linediagram,Gibbs model,and ion proportion coefficient.The findings of this study indicate that as the moves from the recharge water system to salt lake,there is a transition in water type from strong carbonate to moderate carbonate and weak carbonate,as well as Na sulfate.This research based on a similar source of both lithium and boron,utilized ion correlation analysis and boron isotope study in the Lakkor Co area,and analyzed the source and transporting process of lithium.The main origin of lithium in Lakkor Co is the dissolution of lithiumrich rocks,recharge water systems,and deep hydrothermal fluids.These findings are highly significant in enhancing the foundational data of lithium-rich brine resources in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and are beneficial for assessing the future development of such deposits.

Effects of conductive agent type on lithium extraction from salt lake brine with LiFePO_(4) electrodes

Electrochemical lithium extraction from salt lakes is an effective strategy for obtaining lithium at a low cost.Nevertheless,the elevated Mg:Li ratio and the presence of numerous coexisting ions in salt lake brines give rise to challenges,such as prolonged lithium extraction periods,diminished lithium extraction efficiency,and considerable environmental pollution.In this work,Li FePO4(LFP)served as the electrode material for electrochemical lithium extraction.The conductive network in the LFP electrode was optimized by adjusting the type of conductive agent.This approach resulted in high lithium extraction efficiency and extended cycle life.When the single conductive agent of acetylene black(AB)or multiwalled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)was replaced with the mixed conductive agent of AB/MWCNTs,the average diffusion coefficient of Li+in the electrode increased from 2.35×10^(-9)or 1.77×10^(-9)to 4.21×10^(-9)cm^(2)·s^(-1).At the current density of 20 mA·g^(-1),the average lithium extraction capacity per gram of LFP electrode increased from 30.36 mg with the single conductive agent(AB)to 35.62 mg with the mixed conductive agent(AB/MWCNTs).When the mixed conductive agent was used,the capacity retention of the electrode after 30 cycles reached 82.9%,which was considerably higher than the capacity retention of 65.8%obtained when the single AB was utilized.Meanwhile,the electrode with mixed conductive agent of AB/MWCNTs provided good cycling performance.When the conductive agent content decreased or the loading capacity increased,the electrode containing the mixed conductive agent continued to show excellent electrochemical performance.Furthermore,a self-designed,highly efficient,continuous lithium extraction device was constructed.The electrode utilizing the AB/MWCNT mixed conductive agent maintained excellent adsorption capacity and cycling performance in this device.This work provides a new perspective for the electrochemical extraction of lithium using LFP electrodes.

Extraction of lithium from salt lake brine by aluminum-based alloys

Salt lake brine was reacted with activated aluminum-based alloys and lithium was precipitated.The effects of aluminum-based alloys on precipitating lithium were investigated and the reasonable alloy used to extract lithium from brine was obtained.The effects of the mole ratio of Al to Li and Ca content of Al-Ca alloy,the initial concentration of lithiumion ion in solution,reaction temperature and reaction time on the adsorption rate of lithium were studied,and the optimized process parameters were determined.The results show that the mole ratio of Al to Li and Ca content of Al-Ca alloy and reaction temperature have great influences on the precipitation rate of lithium.The precipitation rate of lithium reaches 94.6% under the optimal condition,indicating that Al-Ca alloy is suitable for the extraction of lithium from salt lake brine.

Highly efficient extraction of lithium from salt lake brine by LiAl-layered double hydroxides as lithium-ion-selective capturing material

The extraction of lithium from salt lake brine in the Chinese Qaidam Basin is challenging due to its high Mg/Li and Na/Li ratios. Herein, we utilized a reaction-coupled separation technology to separate sodium and lithium ions from a high Na/Li ratio brine(Na/Li = 48.7, w/w) and extracted lithium with Li Al-layered double hydroxides(Li Al-LDHs). The Li Al-LDHs act as lithium-ion-selective capturing materials from multication brines. That is, the lithium ions selectively enter the solid phase to form Li Al-LDHs, and the sodium ions are still retained in the liquid phase. This is because the lithium ions can be incorporated into the structural vacancies of LiAl-LDHs, whereas the sodium ions cannot. The effects of reaction conditions on lithium loss and separation efficiency were investigated at both the nucleation and the crystallization stage, e.g., the nucleation rotating speed, the Li/Al molar ratio, the crystallization temperature and time, and co-existing cations. The lithium loss is as low as 3.93% under optimal separation conditions.The sodium ions remained in the solution. Consequently, an excellent Na/Li separation efficiency was achieved by this reaction-coupled separation technology. These findings confirm that LiAl-LDHs play a critical function in selectively capturing lithium ions from brines with a high Na/Li ratio, which is useful for the extraction of lithium ions from the abundant salt lake brine resources in China.

Problems of Lithium Isotope Research in Salt Lake Study

Lithium in nature mainly exists in the forms of solid minerals and ionic liquid.More than 150 lithium minerals exist,which are mainly pegmatite mineral including triphane,lithionite and petalite.Liquid lithium mainly

Lithium Ion Extraction from the High Ration Mg/Li Salt Lake Brine with Ionic Liquid in Triisobutyl Phosphate and Kerosene

1 Introduction As the lightest metal with the unique properties of energy production and storage,lithium is regarded as the new century energy metal.Lithium and its compounds were widely used in various industrial fields,especially in

The Phase Diagram of Lithium Salt Systems and Its Application in Extraction of Lithium from Salt Lake Brine

At present,the extraction of lithium from salt lake brine is the new trend of the salt lake industrialization.The saltine lake lithium resources are extremely rich in western china,especially in Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.Brine of salt

LITHIUM RESOURCES IN CHINA'S SALT LAKES & ITS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This article gives an introductory exposition of the growing demands of lithium on the market against the background of current rapid S&Tprogress and booming economic development, the worldwide trend in the production of lithium salts and the rich lithium reserves in China’s salt lakes as well as the brilliant prospects for its exploitation in the future. The article proposes that a sustainable exploitation of the lithium trove from these salt lakes should be rooted in comprehensive utilization of the trove and take a long-term approach, emphasizing high value proliferation in developing quality lithium-based products. Also, it expresses some tentative ideas on building demonstration bases for all-round exploitation and utilization of the salt lake resources and the development of lithium cells.

Contrasting sources and enrichment mechanisms in lithium-rich salt lakes:A Li-H-O isotopic and geochemical study from northern Tibetan Plateau

Lithium(Li),a crucial mineral resource for modern high-tech industries,is notably abundant in the northern Tibetan Plateau,primarily within lithium-rich salt lakes.However,the exploration and development of these resources are hindered due to an incomplete understanding of their nature and origin.Here we present results from a comprehensive study on the hydrochemical parameters,whole-rock geochemistry,H-O isotopes,and Li concentrations in surface brine,river water,geothermal springs,and associated rocks from two representative lithium-enriched salt lakes,the Laguo Co(LGC)and Cangmu Co(CMC)in Tibet to understand the genetic mechanisms.Our water-salt balance calculations and H-O isotopic analysis reveal that Li in LGC and CMC primarily originates from the Suomei Zangbo(SMZB,~91%)and Donglong Zangbo(DLZB,~75%)rivers,respectively.It is estimated that the LGC and CMC took a minimum of 6.0 ka and 3.0 ka to accumulate their current lithium resources,respectively.The distinct geological characteristics reflect evolutionary differences between the two lakes,suggesting diverse lithium sources and enrichment processes.The high lithium ion concentration and light lithium isotope composition in the SMZB river waters indicate the genetic relationship with lithium-enriched geothermal springs in the Tibetan Plateau.Our results suggest that lithium in the LGC originates from lithium-enriched geothermal springs and is primarily supplied through the small-scale SMZB river.In contrast,the formation and evolution of CMC are influenced by the northern Lunggar rifts,receiving a prolonged and stable input from the DLZB,resulting in high lithium concentrations and isotopic values.The absence of lithium-enriched geothermal springs and the prevalence of silicate rocks in the CMC catchment suggest that lithium may be sourced from the weathering of silicate rocks,such as granitic pegmatite veins containing lithium-rich beryl,widely distributed in the upstream area of DLZB.The forward modeling approach,quantifying the contribution fractions of different reservoirs(atmospheric precipitation,silicate,carbonate,and evaporite),indicates that the distinct lithium concentrations in the mainstream(>1 mg/L)and tributaries(<0.1 mg/L)are positively correlated with the ratio of silicate contributions to carbonate contributions,suggesting that dissolved lithium in river waters primarily originates from the weathering and dissolution of silicate rocks.The distinct sources and enrichment mechanisms of lithium in these two salt lakes are attributed to various evolutionary processes,topographical features,hydrological factors,fundamental geological settings,and tectonic histories,despite their spatial proximity.Furthermore,our study highlights the significant role of rivers in the formation of young salt lakes,in addition to geothermal springs.

Doping engineering of lithium-aluminum layered double hydroxides for high-efficiency lithium extraction from salt lake brines

Lithium-aluminum layered double hydroxides(LiAl-LDH)have been be successfully applied in commercial-scale for lithium extraction from salt lake brine,however,further advancement of their applications is hampered by suboptimal Li^(+)adsorption performance and ambiguous extraction process.Herein,a doping engineering strategy was developed to fabricate novel Zn^(2+)-doped LiAl-LDH(LiZnAl-LDH)with remarkable higher Li^(+)adsorption capacity(13.4 mg/g)and selectivity(separation factors of 213,834,171 for Li^(+)/K^(+),Li^(+)/Na^(+),Li^(+)/Mg^(2+),respectively),as well as lossless reusability in Luobupo brine compared to the pristine LiAl-LDH.Further,combining experiments and simulation calculations,it was revealed that the specific surface area,hydrophilic,and surface attraction for Li^(+)of LiZnAl-LDH were significantly improved,reducing the adsorption energy(Ead)and Gibbs free energy(ΔG),thus facilitating the transfer of Li^(+)from brine into interface followed by insertion into voids.Importantly,the intrinsic oxygen vacancies derived from Zn-doping depressed the diffusion energy barrier of Li^(+),which accelerated the diffusion process of Li^(+)in the internal bulk of LiZnAl-LDH.This work provides a general strategy to overcome the existing limitations of Li^(+)recovery and deepens the understanding of Li^(+)extraction on LiAl-LDH.

Classification and mineralization of global lithium deposits and lithium extraction technologies for exogenetic lithium deposits

A reasonable classification of deposits holds great significance for identifying prospecting targets and deploying exploration. The world ’s keen demand for lithium resources has expedited the discovery of numerous novel lithium resources. Given the presence of varied classification criteria for lithium resources presently, this study further ascertained and classified the lithium resources according to their occurrence modes, obtaining 10 types and 5 subtypes of lithium deposits(resources) based on endogenetic and exogenetic factors. As indicated by surveys of Cenozoic exogenetic lithium deposits in China and abroad,the formation and distribution of the deposits are primarily determined by plate collision zones, their primary material sources are linked to the anatectic magmas in the deep oceanic crust, and they were formed primarily during the Miocene and Late Paleogene. The researchers ascertained that these deposits,especially those of the salt lake, geothermal, and volcanic deposit types, are formed by unique slightly acidic magmas, tend to migrate and accumulate toward low-lying areas, and display supernormal enrichment. However, the material sources of lithium deposits(resources) of the Neopaleozoic clay subtype and the deep brine type are yet to be further identified. Given the various types and complex origins of lithium deposits(resources), which were formed due to the interactions of multiple spheres, it is recommended that the mineralization of exogenetic lithium deposits(resources) be investigated by integrating tectono-geochemistry, paleoatmospheric circulation, and salinology. So far, industrialized lithium extraction is primarily achieved in lithium deposits of the salt lake, clay, and hard rock types. The lithium extraction employs different processes, with lithium extraction from salt lake-type lithium deposits proving the most energy-saving and cost-effective.

Study of Lithium Exploitation from Tibetan Kyetsé Tsakha and Lungmu Tso Salines by Freezing and Mixing

1 Introduction Lithium was used widely in batteries,lubricants,aluminium smelting,ceramics,glass,polymers and other areas due to its unique electrochemical reactivity as well as other properties(Hykawy,2010).Production of lithium comes from both brine and mineral sources.The total resources of lithium estimated by the USGS in 2014 are to

青藏高原盐湖硼、锂同位素变化规律及其对当雄错盐湖资源评价应用

近年,硼、锂同位素地球化学理论和分馏机理的深入,为盐湖体系硼、锂同位素示踪奠定了基础。基于现有大量研究数据,文章系统归纳盐湖体系硼、锂同位素分馏变化特征,总结盐湖演化过程硼、锂同位素组成的变化规律,建立它们的示踪方法。并以此为基础,对西藏典型富硼、锂盐湖−当雄错开展了硼同位素示踪,解决了当雄错与其物源硼同位素特征不符的难题,提出当雄错湖底蕴含大型硼、锂矿床的新认识,并预测了湖底的硼、锂资源量。根据盐湖体系硼、锂同位素地球化学特征,揭示了溶蚀湖的盐湖资源评价意义,为盐湖体系硼、锂同位素示踪和盐湖资源评价奠定理论基础。此外,借助硼同位素地球化学手段建立的当雄错“围岩−地热水−盐湖”的物源补给模式在西藏和全球具有普遍性。

溶析结晶用于盐湖卤水提钾和镁锂分离研究

采用溶析结晶法快速分离盐湖卤水中氯化钾并降低卤水中的镁锂比,解决青海盐湖盐田摊晒存在的生产周期长、需要修建大面积盐田等难题。以有机溶剂为溶析剂,考察了不同种类溶析剂加入量、溶析温度、溶析时间等对盐湖氯化钾收率及镁锂比的影响。实验结果表明,以无水乙醇为溶析剂与盐湖卤水体积比为2∶1,溶析温度为-15℃,时间为90 min时,氯化钾和氯化钠的收率分别达到93.15%和99.84%。溶析结晶后的母液经过过滤,在70~80℃,以0.5℃/min的降温速率进行动态降温,析出氯化镁晶体,镁锂质量比由原卤中的388.44降低至266.63,最终达到快速分离氯化钾的目的及为后续对镁锂进一步分离提供更有利的条件。

富锂硫酸盐型盐湖卤水蒸发实验研究进展

随着“双碳”目标的提出,锂在新能源材料领域中的应用受到高度关注,锂的需求呈现爆发式增长。世界锂资源以矿石锂和盐湖锂为主,盐湖锂因其储量大成为未来锂资源开发的重点,因而占比最大的硫酸盐型盐湖成为焦点。因盐湖卤水组成差异较大,叠加硫酸盐型盐湖特殊属性,使得锂在盐田蒸发阶段存在多种结晶形式而造成损失,增加了锂的有效富集难度。总结了前人针对富锂硫酸盐型盐湖的蒸发实验研究结果,结合相图分析总结富锂硫酸盐型盐湖蒸发结晶析盐规律,重点关注锂的浓缩状态及析盐结晶形式,为硫酸盐型盐湖锂资源开发提供参考。

锂资源提取技术研究进展

锂被认为是21世纪最重要的能源金属之一,在全球减碳的共同目标下,新能源产业快速发展,推动过去3a锂消费量的持续增长,引发国内外对提锂技术的研究热潮。根据锂资源的赋存状态,对矿石提锂及卤水提锂技术进行综述,系统性地总结对比了各种方法的优缺点。从矿石中提取锂的方法主要有石灰石烧结法、硫酸法、硫酸盐法、压煮法、氯化焙烧法、直接酸浸法;卤水提锂中受到广泛关注的技术主要有沉淀法、吸附法、溶剂萃取法、膜分离法、电化学法。由于碳酸锂价格高位回落,国际锂盐获取形势愈加严峻,因此不断开发并完善提锂技术,增强中国的锂资源自供自给能力,实现提锂技术的降本增效势在必行。

青藏高原中部班戈错富锂盐湖水位月际变化与驱动因素分析

锂在新能源领域的独特优势使其需求规模呈爆发式增长,世界各主要经济体将其列为关键矿产。西藏盐湖锂资源丰富,水位变化是锂资源动态评价的重要环节,班戈错是典型富锂盐湖,极具代表性。本文以2016—2023年班戈错现场实测水文及气象观测资料为基础,分析了水位月际变化特征及驱动因素。主要结论如下:(1)以2018年6月、2021年12月为界,2016年1月至2023年7月,班戈错水位月际变化剧烈,经历下降—上升—下降波动变化过程,且水位上升速度远大于水位下降速度。(2)蒸发量增大是班戈错两次水位波动下降的主要原因;而蒸发量降低和温度升高是驱动水位波动上升的动力。(3)温度及降水是控制湖泊年内变化的主导因子,且温度主要通过控制蒸发来实现影响。研究结果为青藏高原月际尺度气候变化的盐湖区域响应和班戈错将来开采过程中锂资源保障程度研究提供数据基础。

国内外提锂技术研究进展及应用

随着双碳政策的实施,新能源汽车产业快速发展,高容量的锂电池得到了大规模的应用,因此,绿色、高效的提锂技术成为决定最终锂资源回收经济效益的关键因素。根据资源类型的差异,提锂技术可分为盐湖卤水提锂和矿石提锂技术两种。盐湖卤水主要用于生产工业级的碳酸锂,工艺流程简单,成本较低,但其生产条件较差,常伴随较高的Mg/Li。盐湖卤水提锂技术主要分为分步沉淀法和吸附法两种,分别用来处理低、高Mg/Li盐湖卤水资源。锂辉石、锂云母、锂黏土等锂矿石主要用于生产电池级碳酸锂,提锂工艺成熟,但生产成本高,环境污染较为严重,目前常用的工艺为硫酸焙烧法、硫酸盐培烧法、氯化焙烧法、石灰石焙烧法和碱性压煮法。结合盐湖卤水、锂辉石、锂云母和锂黏土等目前主要的锂资源,从资源储量分布、典型工艺流程、代表性矿山项目以及相应的运营成本分析等方面详细阐述了国内外锂资源提锂技术的研究和应用现状,并通过对不同锂矿资源开发技术在应用过程中的优缺点对比分析,从工业应用价值的角度来阐述现有技术中制约提锂效率的关键因素,并据此提出了不同锂资源提锂技术未来的发展方向,为提锂技术的优化更新提供相应的参考。

盐湖卤水萃取法提锂的研究进展

随着全球锂电行业的迅猛发展,作为原材料的锂需求量也日益攀升。盐湖卤水中蕴含着丰富的锂资源,但浓度低、成分复杂。开发高效锂分离技术,从卤水中提取锂资源具有重要的经济价值和战略意义。溶剂萃取法具有处理量大、萃取效率高、优异选择性以及易于规模化操作等优点,具有良好的工业应用前景。本文主要综述了近5年常用的萃取体系,包括β-二酮、有机磷化合物、大环分子、磷酰基吡唑啉酮、离子液体以及低共熔溶剂。系统地分析了各种萃取体系的作用机理、适用的环境以及存在的优缺点,对于萃取体系存在的问题进一步介绍了萃取过程强化技术,如膜萃取强化、电场强化。最后,对未来各种萃取体系的研究重点和改进提出了观点和评述,同时对萃取体系的发展前景进行了展望。

纳滤膜在盐湖提锂领域的研究进展

中国锂(Li)资源消耗量占全球消耗量的40%,然而其产能仅满足工业需求的20%,80%的Li需要进口,研究新一代提Li技术迫在眉睫。纳滤(NF)膜具有选择性离子分离能力,在Mg^(2+)、Li^(+)的选择性分离中表现出突出的潜力。商用NF膜多荷负电,受Donnan效应和静电引力影响,其对正离子的分离能力有限。近年来的研究发现,荷正电NF膜可以有效分离具有相似水合物离子半径的Mg^(2+)和Li^(+)。该文介绍了NF膜中离子传输理论和选择性筛分机理,综述了商用NF膜在盐湖提Li领域的研究现状及不足,分析了荷正电NF膜的制备方式(包括胺单体的选取、纳米材料掺杂、引入中间层及表面接枝等)对提升Mg^(2+)、Li^(+)的选择性分离性能的影响规律。最后,总结了荷正电NF膜在实际工程应用中的挑战和前景。