The global demand for lithium is skyrocketing, driven by increasing electric vehicle (EV) sales powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, pure lithium is not found in nature, it must be extracted and refined from liquid brines commonly found in salars, or salt flats, or from lithium-bearing minerals found in hard rock mines.
The processing of spodumene or lithium-containing brines of course focuses on product yield, but also and in particular on product purity. Myande has the skills and experience to develop the most sophisticated and tailor-made processes.
Whether extracted from brine deposits or mined from hard-rock minerals, lithium processing is easier and more effective with a reliable provider of integrated solutions.
What should lithium producers take into consideration when evaluating a reliable evaporation and crystallization technology provider to partner with? The evaporation and crystallization supplier should have:
- A deep technical know-how and process design expertise with challenging chemistries and continuously evolving impurity profiles.
- The capability to provide modular solutions in order to deliver cost-effective installations in remote locations.
- A state-of-the-art research and development capabilities for evaluating feasibility, and validating processes as well as optimizing overall system designs.
- A proven track record of project execution and global references of successful installations in lithium production sites from a wide variety of resources.
Myande Lithium Processing Experience
Myande has supplied several process systems to leading lithium suppliers worldwide as well as having performed analytical, bench and pilot-scale testing.
- Lithium brine concentration
- By-products recovery from lithium processing
- Lithium salts crystallization
- Impurity removal
- Lithium salts purification by re-crystallization
- Solid/liquid separation systems and solids handling
Myande Lithium Processing Capabilities
Lithium salts crystallization:
➢Lithium Chloride (LiCl) ➢Li2CO3 ➢Lithium Hydroxide anhydrous and monohydrate (LiOH)
➢Lithium Sulfate anhydrous and monohydrate (Li2SO4) ➢Lithium Bromide (LiBr) ➢Lithium Phosphate (Li3PO4)
By-product recovery from lithium processing:
➢Potassium Chloride (KCl) ➢Sodium Sulfate (Na2SO4) ➢Sodium Chloride (NaCl) ➢Potassium Sulfate (K2SO4) ➢Boric Acid (H3BO3)
Process Equipment
◉ MVR Evaporator ◉ Multiple Effect Evaporator ◉ Rising/Falling Film Evaporator
◉ Forced Circulation Evaporator
◉ Vacuum Crystallizer ◉ Cooling Crystallizer ◉ Forced Circulation Crystallizer
◉ Oslo Crystallizer
Myande utilizes years of experience in providing expertise in lithium crystallization process equipment and state-of-the-art test labs to develop a lithium refining system tailored to the specific requirements of your lithium source and battery production purity demands. Consequently, Myande lithium refining crystallizers empower our clients to:
-Achieve maximum retrieval of high-purity, battery-grade lithium products.
-Effectively and efficiently eliminate impurities.
-Cut costs and boost revenue by enhancing process efficiency.
Successful implementation of new production operations depends on rigorous process development based on proven and scalable methods. To ensure the success of each project, Myande process engineers work closely with clients to understand their needs and develop process designs that can effectively be implemented to achieve quality or recovery requirements.
Depending on the stage of the project, Myande process development resources can support the client from the proof of concept through commissioning and further process improvements.
For every installation, Myande engineers combine their years of experience with proprietary design information, plant operating data, and state-of-the-art modeling software to develop innovative and dependable solutions for clients.
Having assisted hundreds of companies with their unique process chemistry and needs, Myande can perform feasibility testing of virtually any laboratory or pilot scale evaporation and crystallization flowsheet.
300,000 Tons/Year Iron Phosphate MVR Evaporation and Crystallization Project.
In recent years, the adoption of MVR evaporation crystallization in the production of battery raw materials, including nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese, as well as ternary precursor, iron phosphate, cathode material wastewater treatment, and other industries, has been on the rise. Myande, as a leading player in this field, stands out with its outstanding energy-saving capabilities and operational efficiency, providing customers worldwide with a significant competitive advantage.
Currently, Myande has successfully implemented over 500 sets of MVR evaporation systems for various applications, including more than 200 sets specifically designed for the new energy materials and battery recycling industry.
30,000 Tons/Year Li2CO3 MVR Evaporation Project undertaken by Myande has been put into operation!
The processing of spodumene or lithium-containing brines of course focuses on product yield, but also and in particular on product purity. Myande has the skills and experience to develop the most sophisticated and tailor-made processes.
Whether extracted from brine deposits or mined from hard-rock minerals, lithium processing is easier and more effective with a reliable provider of integrated solutions.
General Layout Plan
With a land prepared, the next thing you should consider is planning the general layout, which is a crucial foundation of a sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing.
Turn to us for help and we will present you the design for your plant by considering water, steam, electricity supply and etc.
Process Design
Combining our engineering expertise, industry know-how and practical skills with your knowledge, we provide the optimized and customized process design for your plant.
3D Plant Design
On the basis of plant layout design, combined with real situation, we can design a three-dimensional model of the entire plant. All the equipment, piping and instruments, any detail can be shown in the model, not only allowing you to have an intuitive understanding of the plant, but also providing overall information support for plant construction, equipment installation and future expansion.
Automatic Control System
We offer economical and most effective process automation solutions for the entire production line. Our RES automatic control system is developed based on PLC/DCS system.
Data Integration
Data integration in industrial evaporation and crystallization systems enables real-time monitoring and automated control, coordinated operation, data analysis, advanced process control, remote diagnostics, and integration with enterprise systems, leading to optimized performance and operational excellence.
Equipment Manufacturing
We owns in-house manufacture base of more than 130,000㎡ integrating R&D, production, project management which represents advanced engineering capability in the industry.
Installation and Commissioning
After finishing the installation of all machines, we offer on-site commissioning service to ensure compatible functioning.
Every move of the machine needs strong technical support from our experienced engineers. The only principle is that you can start manufacturing right after the commissioning.
Training and After-sales Service
Myande 360° Service Portfolio covers all your needs throughout the life cycle of your project. By minimizing your total cost of ownership, we help you stay ahead of the competition.
About Myande
Myande Group is a globally leading supplier of complete plants, equipment, and services for Oils & Fats, Starch & Derivatives, Fermentation, Evaporation & Crystallization, Material Storage and Handling and Smart Factory industries.
Myande Group currently has 1,200+ employees including 500 technical staff and 700 manufacturing workers. More than 1,000 complete plants have been supplied under Myande’s name in around 80 countries since 2003.
In-house manufacture base of more than 130,000㎡ that integrates R&D, production, and project management, representing world-class engineering capability in the industry.
By harnessing the power of the Intelligent Tube Sheet Robot Welding System, we have revolutionized the way evaporators are crafted, taking efficiency and precision to unprecedented heights.
At the core of our remarkable evaporator lies the Intelligent Tube Sheet Robot Welding System, a state-of-the-art technology that has redefined the welding process. By automating this intricate task, we eliminate the margin for human error, ensuring flawless connections between tubes and sheet metal. The result is an impeccable product that exceeds industry standards.
We are highly committed to Quality Assurance.
Our facilities and processes adhere to the highest local and international industry standards and certifications and are audited regularly for compliance.
With a global quality management system, we ensure that our customers all over the world receive high-quality, reliable products and solutions. We are well aware that our equipment have to function safely and efficiently for decades.
To effectively carry on the spirit of artisanship, improve the overall quality of front-line employees, we hold the “Workmanship Skills Competition" every year.
At Myande, innovation is the result of the total process of developing an idea into a product or a new way of working which adds value to the business.
Over 400 registered patents and utility models demonstrate the company's innovation potential.
We focus on supplying one-stop engineering service covering general layout plan, process design, R&D, equipment manufacturing, automatic control system, data integration, installation, supervision, commissioning, training and etc.
Our custom solutions come from a deep understanding of your needs, and we have the capability to complete each project from the design of the initial concept to manufacturing, installation, commissioning and delivery.
Related Equipment
Technical expertise and innovative products form the basis of your success. But we offer you even more: our extensive range of services gives you optimum support for your requirements and objectives in the long term.
25T/H Three-Effect Evaporation & Crystallization System
Recently,Myande signed a contract with Jiangxi H-zone Lithium Industry Co., Ltd, under which Myande will supply a 25TPH three-effect evaporation & crystallization system for the treatment of salt-containing effluent. The system will adopt advanced evaporation and crystallization separation technology to treat the wastewater containing sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate and salt during the production process of the lithium industry. It will also crystallize the salt from wastewater and recycle the condensation water generated in the evaporation system. The completion of the project will enable Jiangxi H-zone Lithium Industry Co system to improve its environmental performance, save energy, and thus effectively reduce its operational cost. H-zone Lithium is a high-tech enterprise engaged in the production of lithium products by lepidolite, such as battery grade Li2CO3, technical development and large-scale production of potassium, rubidium and cesium salt products. The company has been committed to the process development of lithium. With the rapid development of the company, wastewater containing a lot of salt is increasing in the production process and it’s difficult to treat the wastewater. Myande has a mature design system and rich project experience in multi-effect evaporation crystallization technology. According to the characteristics of wastewater of lithium industry, combined with the past engineering data, Myande designing team came up with a highly individualized solution which nicely meets with H-zone Lithium’s requirements of actual production as well as its expectation for automatic mode of operation.
The Ultimate Guide to Lithium Extraction Industry
The lithium industry has been experiencing rapid growth over the past decade, driven by the increasing demand for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and other high-tech applications. As of early 2023, the lithium industry is still not recovered from the pandemic, with some supply chain disruptions and production delays still affecting the market. However, overall demand for lithium is expected to continue growing, driven by the ongoing transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. However, do you know where all that lithium comes from and how it’s produced? In this article, we will take a look at some typical lithium production paths and how they compare. What is lithium extraction? Lithium extraction refers to the process of obtaining lithium from its sources, which can be ores or brines. There are several methods for extracting lithium, depending on the source and the specific minerals present. What are the paths to lithium extraction? There are several paths to lithium extraction, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most common methods of lithium extraction are: 1. Mining: Lithium can be mined from hard rock deposits, known as spodumene, using traditional underground or open-pit mining methods. Lithium extraction from hard rock, such as spodumene, typically involves a combination of crushing, grinding, roasting, leaching, purification, precipitation, drying and packaging. Lithium extraction from hard rock is typically more expensive and energy-intensive than brine extraction, but it can also yield higher-quality lithium. Spodumene is one of the most common sources of hard rock lithium, but other minerals such as petalite and lepidolite can also be used. 2. Brine Extraction: Lithium can also be obtained from brine deposits, which are underground reservoirs of salty water that contain dissolved lithium. Brine is typically pumped to the surface and allowed to evaporate in large ponds, leaving behind lithium salts that can be further processed. Brine extraction is generally less expensive than mining, but it can be slower and yield lower-quality lithium. In some cases, reverse osmosis (RO) is used to concentrate the lithium brine to speed up the evaporation process. 3. Geothermal Brine Extraction: Geothermal brine extraction is a variation of brine extraction that involves using hot water from geothermal wells to dissolve and extract lithium from underground brines. This method can be more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional brine extraction, but it is still in the experimental stages and is not yet widely used. 4. Lithium Clay Extraction: Lithium can also be obtained from clay deposits, which are mined using conventional open-pit mining methods. The clay is then leached with sulfuric acid to extract the lithium. This method can be less expensive than traditional mining, but it can also yield lower-quality lithium. Each method of lithium extraction has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of method will depend on factors such as the quality and quantity of the lithium source, environmental regulations, and economic considerations. As the demand for lithium continues to grow, there is ongoing research and development into new and more efficient methods of lithium extraction. What are the trends in lithium extraction industry? In terms of future trends, several key developments are likely to shape the lithium extraction industry in the coming years: 1. Expansion of Production Capacity: As demand for lithium continues to grow, lithium producers are expanding their production capacity to meet this demand. This has led to the development of new lithium mines and processing facilities, particularly in countries with large lithium reserves such as Australia, Chile, and Argentina. 2. Diversification of supply: As demand for lithium grows, there is likely to be an increased focus on diversifying the sources of lithium production. Currently, the majority of lithium comes from just a few countries, including Australia, Chile, and Argentina. However, new sources of lithium, such as brine deposits in Nevada and clay deposits in Mexico, are being developed. 3. Technological advancements: Advances in battery technology, such as the development of solid-state batteries, could change the demand dynamics for lithium and other materials used in battery production. In addition, improvements in lithium extraction and processing techniques could help to reduce the environmental impact of lithium mining and production. Also the use of new membrane technologies and ion exchange resins will reduce the environmental impact of brine extraction. 4. Policy changes: Government policies, such as subsidies for electric vehicles and incentives for renewable energy development, are likely to continue to drive demand for lithium. However, there could also be regulatory changes aimed at reducing the environmental impact of lithium mining and production, which could increase costs for producers and affect the supply chain. Overall, the lithium industry is likely to continue to experience strong growth in the coming years, driven by the ongoing transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. However, the industry will need to navigate challenges such as supply chain disruptions, environmental concerns, and changing technology and policy landscapes in order to sustain this growth. Myande offers a variety of technologies for major upstream and midstream lithium extraction processes, including evaporation concentration, crystallization, purification separation and drying. Myande processes provide its customers with a competitive advantage, achieving higher productivity under tighter specifications while reducing costs and increasing efficiency. And all of plants meet the complex safety requirements of the chemical industry.
Sodium Sulfate MVR Evaporation Crystallization
Recently, Myande signed a contract with Cathay Industrial Biotech, by which Myande will supply Cathay with an MVR evaporation and crystallization facility to process wastewater and extract sodium sulfate as a value-adding by-product from the wastewater. This evaporation & crystallization facility to be supplied by Myande will enable Cathay to utilize wastewater and create economic benefit in an environmentally-friendly manner. Cathay Industrial Biotech is a world-leading industrial biotechnology company specialized in the production of chemical intermediate long-chain dibasic acid for the synthesis of nylon, polyester, adhesive and bio-solvent. Long chain dibasic acid, a linear aliphatic dibasic acid containing 10 to 15 carbon atoms, is produced by a bio-fermentation method in which a large amount of high-salt wastewater is normally generated. It is difficult to process the wastewater because of the high concentration of pollution and poor biodegradation. The technical solution to be supplied by Myande including MVR evaporation and concentration, frozen crystallization and fluid bed drying technology will be applied to process wastewater for recycling industrial sodium sulfate.
Myande Awards 2022 “Spring Sunshine” Scholarship
In order to motivate employees' children to study hard and to enhance employees’ sense of belonging and happiness, on August 19, Myande held 2022 Myande Spring Sunshine Education Scholarship ceremony. Mr. Wangmu, vice chairman and Mr. Mao Weijiang, director in charge of manufacturing, participated in this ceremony and on behalf of the company presented scholarship stipends to children of Myande employees who are enrolled by four-year universities this year. In his speech, Mr. Wang highlighted that Spring Sunshine Scholarship is one of several company welfare benefits. It represents the company’s vision of moving forward with its employees and creating a better future together, and it reflects the company's care for the education of its employees' children and its high sense of social responsibility.
What is the process of crystallization in wastewater treatment?
Crystallization is a separation process used in wastewater treatment to remove dissolved salts and impurities from water. This method is particularly effective when dealing with wastewater that contains high concentrations of inorganic salts, heavy metals, or other dissolved solids. The basic process of crystallization involves inducing the dissolved substances to form solid crystals, which can then be separated from the water.
Here's an overview of the typical process of crystallization in wastewater treatment:
1. Pre-treatment: Before the crystallization process begins, the wastewater often undergoes pre-treatment steps to remove larger particles, organic matter, and other contaminants that could interfere with the crystallization process.
2. Cooling or Evaporation: Crystallization can be achieved through either cooling or evaporation. In the cooling method, the wastewater is cooled down to reduce its solubility for the dissolved salts. As the temperature drops, the solubility limit is reached, causing the salts to precipitate and form crystals. In the evaporation method, the wastewater is subjected to controlled evaporation, which again leads to the concentration of salts beyond their solubility limits, resulting in crystal formation.
3. Nucleation: Nucleation is the initial step in crystallization, where tiny crystal particles (nuclei) begin to form in the supersaturated solution. The rate and size of nucleation can significantly influence the efficiency and characteristics of the crystallization process.
4. Crystal Growth: Once the nuclei form, they serve as sites for further crystal growth. Solids continue to accumulate onto these nuclei, gradually forming larger crystals. The growth process can be influenced by factors such as temperature, concentration, and the presence of impurities.
5. Separation: As crystals grow, they become denser than the surrounding liquid and eventually settle at the bottom of the crystallization vessel. Depending on the scale of the operation, various separation methods can be employed, including sedimentation, centrifugation, or filtration, to separate the solid crystals from the remaining liquid.
6. Washing (Optional): After separation, the collected crystals might undergo a washing step to remove any adhering impurities or residual mother liquor (the liquid portion from which crystals precipitate).
7. Drying: The washed crystals are usually still wet, so they need to be dried to achieve the desired moisture content. Drying can be achieved through various methods such as air drying, vacuum drying, or using specialized drying equipment.
8. Disposal or Recovery: The recovered crystals can be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner or potentially recycled or reused, depending on the composition of the crystals and the specific goals of the wastewater treatment process.
It's worth noting that the effectiveness of the crystallization process depends on various factors including the nature of the dissolved substances, the characteristics of the wastewater, temperature, pressure, and other operational parameters. Additionally, the choice between cooling and evaporation methods will depend on the specific circumstances and objectives of the wastewater treatment facility.
What are the advantage and disadvantage of crystallization over evaporation?
Crystallization and evaporation are both valuable separation and concentration processes, but they have distinct advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific application and requirements. Here's a comparison of the two processes:
Advantages of Crystallization:
1. Purity Enhancement: Crystallization often leads to higher levels of purity compared to evaporation. The selective formation of crystals can effectively separate impurities from the desired product.
2. Selective Recovery: Crystallization allows for the selective recovery of specific substances from complex mixtures, which might be challenging to achieve with evaporation alone.
3. Resource Efficiency: Crystallization can be more energy-efficient in cases where the process relies on the heat of crystallization (the heat released or absorbed during crystallization) to drive the separation, reducing the need for external heating or cooling.
4. Product Quality: Crystallization can produce high-quality, well-defined crystals that meet certain size and shape specifications, which is important in industries like pharmaceuticals and specialty chemicals.
5. Waste Minimization: Crystallization can be used for efficient removal of dissolved contaminants from wastewater, minimizing the volume of waste generated.
Disadvantages of Crystallization:
1. Complexity: Crystallization processes can be complex and sensitive to various factors such as temperature, supersaturation, and impurities, making process control and optimization challenging.
2. Slow Process: Crystallization processes are often slower compared to evaporation due to the time required for nucleation and crystal growth.
3. Equipment and Maintenance: Crystallization equipment can be more intricate and require careful maintenance due to the need to control nucleation and crystal growth.
4. Higher Capital Costs: Crystallization setups can have higher initial capital costs compared to simple evaporation systems.
Advantages of Evaporation:
1. Simplicity: Evaporation is a straightforward process that involves heating a solution to remove water and concentrate the solutes.
2. Faster Process: Evaporation is generally faster than crystallization since it does not require the additional time for crystal formation and growth.
3. Lower Capital Costs: Evaporation systems can be simpler and more cost-effective to set up compared to complex crystallization systems.
4. Versatility: Evaporation can handle a wide range of solutions and substances without requiring extensive adjustments.
Disadvantages of Evaporation:
1. Purity Limitation: Evaporation may not achieve the same level of purity as crystallization, as it does not offer the same degree of selective separation.
2. Energy Intensive: Evaporation processes can be energy-intensive, especially when dealing with solutions with high water content.
3. Impurity Concentration: In some cases, evaporation can lead to the concentration of impurities along with the desired product.
4. Limited Selectivity: Evaporation may not be as effective for selectively separating different components of a mixture.
In summary, the choice between crystallization and evaporation depends on the specific objectives of the process, the nature of the substances being processed, the desired level of purity, the efficiency considerations, and the available resources. In many cases, these processes can also be combined in a multi-step approach to achieve the desired results.
How is lithium extracted from spodumene ore?
Lithium is extracted from spodumene ore using the following steps, including the application of evaporative and crystallization technology:
1. Crushing: Spodumene ore is crushed into smaller particles to increase its surface area.
2. Roasting: The crushed ore is roasted to convert spodumene to a more reactive form.
3. Sulfuric Acid Digestion: Roasted ore is treated with sulfuric acid to form lithium sulfate solution.
4. Leaching: The lithium sulfate solution is leached to separate it from impurities.
5. Purification: The solution undergoes purification to remove unwanted elements.
6. Evaporative Crystallization: The purified solution is concentrated using evaporation, causing lithium to crystallize.
7. Harvesting Crystals: Crystals of lithium compounds are collected as they form.
8. Washing and Drying: Collected crystals are washed and dried to remove residual impurities and moisture.
9. Conversion: Dried crystals are converted into battery-grade lithium compounds like Li2CO3 or lithium hydroxide.
Evaporative and crystallization enhance the efficiency of lithium extraction by concentrating the solution and facilitating crystal formation, aiding in the separation and recovery of lithium from spodumene ore.
What is the process of lithium refinery?
The process of lithium refining involves the following steps:
1. Ore Preparation: Crush and roast lithium-containing minerals, like spodumene, to make them reactive.
2. Sulfuric Acid Digestion: Treat roasted ore with sulfuric acid to create lithium sulfate solution.
3. Impurity Removal: Purify the solution to eliminate unwanted elements.
4. Li2CO3 Precipitation: Precipitate Li2CO3 using soda ash.
5. Filtration and Drying: Separate and dry the Li2CO3 crystals.
6. Conversion: Convert Li2CO3 to battery-grade lithium compounds.
7. Evaporative Crystallization (Optional): Concentrate and crystallize lithium from solution through evaporation.
8. Washing and Drying (Optional): Wash and dry the crystallized lithium compounds.
9. Final Product: Obtain high-purity lithium compounds ready for various applications.
This process yields refined lithium compounds suitable for industries like batteries, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
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