Theoretical Foundations of Technology for the Production of Lithium Carbonate by the Ammonia Method

Abstract

Theoretical foundations of technology for producing lithium carbonate of battery quality by the ammonia method have been developed. This technology is based on the precipitation of lithium carbonate from an aqueous solution of lithium chloride by its direct contact with a gaseous mixture of NH₃ and CO₂ in a 2 : 1 ratio, followed by NH₃ reproduction by the decomposition of ammonium chloride with calcium hydroxide, which is a byproduct of interactions in the LiCl−NH₃–CO₂−H₂O system. The applicability of the ammonia method for obtaining battery-quality Li₂CO₃ from sulfate, nitrate, and mixed lithium solutions has been shown.