Techno-Economic Evaluation of NaOH Recycling in a Graphite Purification Process
摘要
High-purity graphite demand for applications such as battery production is increasing rapidly. Different processes can be used to improve the purity of the graphite concentrate from the usual ~90% graphitic carbon grade (Cg) to the targeted 99.95% purity. While the caustic fusion route has the advantage of not requiring the use of HF or Cl2 and entails lower temperatures than thermal or thermo-chemical purification processes, it suffers from the need for significant quantities of NaOH. The recycling of NaOH in this application is thus strategic for economic and environmental reasons. Examples of NaOH recycling exist in alumina production, but its implementation for the purification of graphite poses other type of challenges because of the presence of different impurities. As the recycling of NaOH solution implies its concentration by evaporation of water after solution purification, questions thus arise about these aspects of the process and their economic implications. Using simulation and experimental results, this chapter examines the chemical feasibility of recycling NaOH for a caustic fusion purification of graphite and the economic aspects of the washing circuit. Results from the computer simulations of the washing step show that water management is critical for the economic viability of the process. Experimental results show that impurities (i.e., Al, Si) can be efficiently removed (50–75%) from the NaOH solution by the addition of Ca(OH)2, thus supporting the chemical feasibility of the process.