Wilkomirsky
[45]
Date of Patent:
5,993,759
Nov. 30, 1999
[54]
[75]
FROM BRINES
Inventor:
Igor Wilkomirsky, Los Condes, Chile
472877163
4,271,131
4,115,219
9/1981
9/1978 Garrett
6/1981
Gancy et
Brown
et
et al.
a1.
al' "
4,588,566
5/1986
1-115817
[22]
Filed:
F
Man 28 1997
'
Al't'
orelgn
pp lea Ion P"tDt
non y a a
[CL]
LLP
[57]
423/283; 23/302 R
References Cited
1 298 932
6/1993
804962
11/1958
U.S.S.R.
423/165
U.S.S.R.
.. 423/1795
[51]
[56]
1824377
[52]
[58]
5/1989
701943 12/1979
[ 30 ]
~~
ABSTRACT
_
8/1966
3,523,751
24
U.S. Patent
5,993,759
5,993,759
1
10
20
The three main uses for lithium are currently found in the
25
30
35
40
55
The brines are pumped from the salt mine and are
able in the World. This salt mine Was ?rst evaluated for
45 same.
chloride.
content.
65
5,993,759
4
3
The puri?cation of natural brines only through fraction
20
25
30
magnesium-depleted brine;
(f) removing magnesium from said magnesium-depleted
brine by adding calcium hydroxide thereto and precipi
tating and separating magnesium hydroxide therefrom
present invention.
non-limiting character.
35
40
0.3%, by Weight.
In the invention, the brines are puri?ed in sequential form,
so that the ?rst part of the boron is removed as commercial
45
Magnesium
Lithium
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Sulfate
Water
0.5
30
1.5%
38%
2.5%
5
0.01
0.01
0.02
0.01
50
7%
0.15%
0.02%
0.05%
0.03%
60%
Boron
Chlorine
50
55
60
of production.
In the invention, the initial dilution of the brine With
mother liquor establishes a fundamental difference With the
other existing processes, since it alloWs a precipitation of
over 70% of the magnesium in the ?rst puri?cation stage
(4)
m5
5,993,759
5
folloWing:
15
(8)
20
25
30
ate.
35
40
45
50
tion:
65
5,993,759
7
hydrocyclones).
In the case that the solid/liquid separation stages 46 and
48 are not applied, the solids present in the precipitated pulp
45 of the reactor 43 are separated directly in the solid/liquid
previously.
The ?ltrate 57 resulting from the Washing of the lithium
carbonate cake formed in the separator 51 is used for
20
EXAMPLE
45
1.75%
Sodium
Potassium
Calcium
Sulfate
0.07%
0.02%
0.04%
0.02%
Water (cryst.)
5.9%
0.8%
35.8%
Magnesium
54.1%
Li,co3
60
99.2
B
Na
K
0.0005
0.06
0.0005
Mg
0.006
c1
Ca
0.006
0.04
5,993,759
9
10
7. The process according to claim 1, Wherein said remov
ing step
comprises adding said calcium hydroxide as an
aqueous calcium hydroxide solution containing 5 to 50% by
Weight of calcium hydroxide and maintaining a sodium
is
cipitation
carried out
of magnesium
at a temperature
hydroxide
of from
in said
50 to
removing
95 C., at
step
a pH
10
boron-depleted brine;
brine by treating said brine With an organic extractant
to thereby produce a boron-free brine;
(d) diluting said boron-free brine With at least a portion of
15
25
30
40
?ltering step.
liquor.
16. The process according to claim 15, Which further
by Weight.
2. The process according to claim 1, Wherein said boron
free brine has a lithium content of 4 to 6%, by Weight.
3. The process according to claim 1, Wherein said diluting
step (d) results in a lithium content of 0.9 to 1.5%, by Weight.
4. The process according to claim 1, Wherein said removal
?ltering step.
cipitation step;
50