Download PDF: SPFA Technical Bulletin T0001 v1.01 Lithium Extraction

Lithium Hydroxide

As the demand soars for electric vehicles and clean energy, there is a rush for producing Lithium Hydroxide which will be used in electric batteries as the cathode material. Lithium Hydroxide as a compound has better power density (more battery capacity), longer life cycle and enhanced safety features.
Lithium Hydroxide can be produced starting from Spodumene Ore via traditional mining or the Brine solutions found mostly in South America.

Australia is one of the leading suppliers of Spodumene Ore. It is now focussing more into converting the ore into lithium hydroxide by building new refineries or increasing the capacity of existing ones. The ore to Lithium Hydroxide production route is as follows:

After the ore is mined, it is crushed and roasted to form a concentrate comprising of alpha phase Spodumene 🢡 Dried lithium concentrate is them processed in a calciner to convert spodumene from alpha to beta phase which is more reactive 🢡 The beta phase concentrate is acid roasted or digested with concentrated sulfuric acid at 250degC 🢡 Lithium Sulphate is leached out by mixing with the water 🢡 Lithium Sulphate is reacted with Sodium Hydroxide to form Lithium Hydroxide and Sodium Sulphate.

Nickel Alloy Grade Steels

High Nickel Alloy grades Alloy 20 or Alloy 31 are the likely material in the sulfuric acid leaching process of the concentrate whereas as ss grade 304L is the most likely material for Lithium Hydroxide production in the refining process.

Specialised Pipe and Fittings Australia stocks 304L, 316L and S31803/S32205 Duplex grade piping products in Perth, Australia.
Additionally, we can supply material in specialty stainless steel pipes, tubes, fittings, flanges, bars, and plates in grades like 321/321H, 317L, 310S/H, 309S/H, 347S/H, S31803/S32205 Duplex, S32750 Super Duplex and N08904 (904L).
In high nickel alloys, we can supply grades such as Alloy 800/H/HT, Alloy 600/625, Monel 400, Ni200, Ni201, Alloy 20, Alloy 31, Alloy C-276, Alloy C-22 and Invar 36.

MATERIAL GRADES

• Stainless Steel
• Duplex
• Super Duplex
• Low Temperature Carbon
• Chrome Moly
• High Yield
• Carbon Steel
• Nickel Alloy
• Titanium
• Copper Nickel

SERVICES

• Contract Management
• Technical Support
• Third Party Inspection
• Mechanical & Non-Destructive Testing
• Freight & Logistics
• Documentation Review & Supply
• Marking, Packing & Colour Coding
• Warehousing
• 24/7 Availability

PRODUCTS

• Seamless Pipe
• Welded Pipe
• Line Pipe
• Seamless Tube
• Butt-Weld Fittings
• Forged Fittings
• Flanges
• Specialised Bolting