System and method for beneficiating and collecting lithium using a fluidized bed reactor

Abstract

A method for concentrating and collecting lithium and lithium compounds via a fluidized bed reactor is disclosed. A hopper receives crushed and pulverized lithium ore, and a feeder tube transfers the crushed and pulverized lithium ore to a fluidized bed reactor. An air mixing chamber receives pressurized air from a pressurized gas inlet and a distributor plate is positioned between the air mixing chamber and the fluidized bed reactor to distribute air pressure across the bottom of the fluidized bed reactor. A cyclone receives a material from the fluid bed reactor and transmits the material to a flume for collection or redistribution through a series of fluid bed reactors for further refinement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for concentrating and collecting lithium and lithium compounds via a fluidized bed reactor is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of:
 a. receiving, via a hopper, crushed and pulverized lithium ore;   b. transferring, via a feeder tube, the crushed and pulverized lithium ore to a fluidized bed reactor;   c. receiving, via an air mixing chamber, a pressurized gas inlet emitting pressurized air and emitting the pressurized air through a distributor plate positioned between the air mixing chamber and the fluidized bed reactor;   d. receiving, via a cyclone, concentrated lithium from the fluid bed reactor;   e. transmitting the concentrated lithium to a flume; and   f. collecting the concentrated lithium.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentrated lithium includes a concentrated lithium compound. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the crushed and pulverized lithium ore is a lithium claystone or a lithium brine evaporite. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the fluid bed reactor includes one or more internal heating elements. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the air mixing chamber is in fluid communication with de-humidifier to prevent moisture from clumping the crushed and pulverized lithium ore in the fluidized bed reactor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the air mixing chamber is in fluid communication with a heater to improve fluidization within the fluidized bed reactor. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the flume includes a fluidized bed conveyor. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the cyclone runs excess fluidized sediment back to a bottom of the fluidized bed reactor to maintain turbulence within the fluidized bed reactor. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising a flush mounted nozzle and sensors positioned on the fluidized bed reactor, the flush mounted nozzle to permit the addition of a dye or binding agent sprayer, the sensors to measure velocity, density and mineralogy. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the hopper includes a motorized internal agitator to prevent the crushed and pulverized lithium ore from packing and to distribute heat. 
     
     
         11 . A system for concentrating and collecting lithium and lithium compounds is disclosed, the system comprising:
 a. a hopper to receive crushed and pulverized lithium ore;   b. a feeder tube to transfer the crushed and pulverized lithium ore to a fluidized bed reactor;   c. an air mixing chamber to receive pressurized air from a pressurized gas inlet;   d. a distributor plate positioned between the air mixing chamber and the fluidized bed reactor; and   e. a cyclone to receive a material from the fluid bed reactor and transmit the material to a flume.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the material is concentrated lithium or a concentrated lithium compound. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the crushed and pulverized lithium ore is a lithium claystone or a lithium brine evaporite. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid bed reactor sorts and concentrates the material by density. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the air mixing chamber is in fluid communication with de-humidifier to prevent moisture from clumping the crushed and pulverized lithium ore in the fluidized bed reactor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the air mixing chamber is in fluid communication with a heater to improve fluidization within the fluidized bed reactor. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the flume includes a fluidized bed conveyor. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the cyclone diverts excess fluidized sediment to the bottom of the fluidized bed reactor for collection or further refinement. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a flush mounted nozzle positioned on the fluidized bed reactor, the flush mounted nozzle to permit the addition of a dye or binding agent sprayer.