ULM achieves increased lithium recovery in another round of Open Cycle Tests
December 22, 2022
In December 2022, ULM has finished another testwork campaign with Metso Outotec Finland. The main goal of the test work campaign was to develop a flowsheet along with test parameters which can be used to produce a petalite concentrate with greater than 3% of Li2O grade at a high Li2O recovery (more than 50%).
The simulation model indicated that the overall mass pull and Li2O recovery could be improved using the recirculation streams from the cleaner circuit. As a result, the Li2O grade could be lowered because the process water that comes from the recirculation streams carries residual hydrofluoric acid and collector.
Therefore, a further Locked Cycle Test was recommended to validate the developed experimental flowsheet and optimized parameters. This Locked Cycle Test is scheduled to be completed in the first quarter of 2023.
Also, a larger scale facility shall be used to produce petalite concentrate samples that shall be required for communication with potential offtakers.