Crystallization of calcium carbonate from lithium-containing brines

Abstract

The crystallization of calcium carbonate from mixing lithium-containing brines and sodium carbonate solution is studied. The effect of different ion types, feeding time, feed amount, feed concentration, stirring rate and temperature on calcium ion removal rate and lithium ion loss rate as well as properties of calcium carbonate crystals was investigated. The optimal process conditions are observed to be: feeding time 15 min, feed amount 100%, feed concentration 1.70 mol/L, stirring rate 300 rpm and temperature 30 °C. Under these conditions, the Li+ recovery rate is observed to reach up to 97.53%, whereas Ca2+ removal rate of 99.85% is achieved, along with the filtrate composition of Li+ 2.889 g/L, K+ 3.147 g/L and Na+ 16.788 g/L. The observed findings effectively realize the removal of the calcium ions from the brine containing lithium as well as the resource utilization of calcium carbonate.