Recovery of lithium from low-grade ores
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
InventorCharles F. Davidson
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Abstract
Lithium is recovered from low-grade ores, such as clays, by addition of CaO or CaCO.sub.3 and chlorination with H.sub.2 O-HCl vapor to convert the lithium to soluble LiCl.
Claims5
A process for recovering lithium from clays comprising (1) admixing the clay with CaO or CaCO.sub.3 and (2) reacting the mixture with a chlorinating agent comprising a gaseous H.sub.2 O-HCl mixture at a temperature of about 450.degree. to 950.degree. C. for a time sufficient to convert a major amount of the lithium in the clay to water-soluble lithium chloride, and subsequently water leaching said lithium chloride from the clay.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.