About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2027 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Rare Metal Extraction & Processing
|
| Presentation Title |
Mechanochemical Lithium Extraction from α-Spodumene: Comparative Assessment of Solid Leaching Agents |
| Author(s) |
Ihor Hlova, Volodymyr Gvozdetskyi |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ihor Hlova |
| Abstract Scope |
Lithium demand for batteries is rapidly increasing, yet current supply relies heavily on brines and conventional hard-rock processing remains energy- and chemical-intensive. Industrial extraction from α-spodumene typically requires high-temperature (~1100 °C) α→β decrepitation followed by aggressive chemical treatment. We developed two alternative approaches for direct lithium extraction from α-spodumene. MELLT (Mechanochemical Extraction of Lithium at Low Temperature) uses mechanochemical activation with hydrometallurgical processing to enable lithium recovery at low temperature, reducing the need for harsh thermal treatment. Building on this foundation, VITELiS (Vacuum-Induced Thermal Extraction of Lithium from α-Spodumene) uses mechanochemical activation coupled with vacuum-assisted thermal extraction to recover lithium in a simplified process without water, acid, or base. Recent optimization of VITELiS reduced milling energy by ~95% relative to MELLT while achieving 96–99% lithium extraction across 75–95% spodumene concentrates. This work highlights VITELiS as a promising route for lower-cost, lower-impact lithium production from hard-rock resources. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Hydrometallurgy, Other, Other |