| Citation: |
Tao Ding, Zhen Nie, Qian Wu, Jiang-jiang Yu, Ling-zhong Bu, Yun-sheng Wang, En-yuan Xing, Mian-ping Zheng, Yu-bin Li, 2025. Optimization of lithium extraction solar pond in Zabuye Salt Lake: Theoretical calculation combined with field experiments, China Geology, 8, 26-38. doi: 10.31035/cg2024085
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Optimization of lithium extraction solar pond in Zabuye Salt Lake: Theoretical calculation combined with field experiments
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Abstract
This research optimized the structure of lithium extraction solar ponds to enhance the crystallization rate and yield of Li2CO3. Using the response surface methodology in Design-Expert 10.0.3, the authors conducted experiments to investigate the influence of four factors related to solar pond structure on the crystallization of Li2CO3 and their pairwise interactions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the flow field within the solar pond were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics software to compare temperature distributions before and after optimization. The results indicate that the optimal structure for lithium extraction from the Zabuye Salt Lake solar ponds includes UCZ (Upper Convective Zone) thickness of 53.63 cm, an LCZ (Lower Convective Zone) direct heating temperature of 57.39°C, a CO32− concentration of 32.21 g/L, and an added soda ash concentration of 6.52 g/L. Following this optimized pathway, the Li2CO3 precipitation increased by 7.34% compared to the initial solar pond process, with a 33.33% improvement in lithium carbonate crystallization rate. This study demonstrates the feasibility of optimizing lithium extraction solar pond structures, offering a new approach for constructing such ponds in salt lakes. It provides valuable guidance for the efficient extraction of lithium resources from carbonate-type salt lake brines.
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References
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Tao Ding, Zhen Nie, Qian Wu, Jiang-jiang Yu, Ling-zhong Bu, Yun-sheng Wang, En-yuan Xing, Mian-ping Zheng, Yu-bin Li, 2025. Optimization of lithium extraction solar pond in Zabuye Salt Lake: Theoretical calculation combined with field experiments, China Geology, 8, 26-38. doi: 10.31035/cg2024085
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Figure 1.
Schematic diagram of the construction of extraction lithium solar pond.
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Figure 2.
Setting of LCZ temperature of UCZ with different thickness.
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Figure 3.
Radiative transmittance through different ice layers.
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Figure 4.
Heating map of solar pod with different layers of NCZ.
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Figure 5.
Thermal efficiency of solar ponds with different NCZ layers.
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Figure 6.
c-t curves of pre-sunning brine into LCZ at 40°C, 50°C, 60°C and 70°C.
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Figure 7.
c-t curve of lithium carbonate in desorption solution and bath brine during controlled temperature rise.
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Figure 8.
c-t curves of constant temperature rise (a,c,e) and direct temperature rise (b,d,f) to 50°C
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Figure 9.
Effect of AB interaction on Y.
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Figure 10.
Effect of AC interaction on Y.
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Figure 11.
Effect of AD interaction on Y.
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Figure 12.
Effect of BC interaction on Y.
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Figure 13.
Effect of BD interaction on Y.
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Figure 14.
Effect of CD interaction on Y.
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Figure 15.
Comparison of crystallization before and after optimization of lithium extraction solar pond process in Zabuye salt lake.
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Figure 16.
Distribution of temperature field: a–before optimization and; b–after optimization.