How is the element lithium recovered and purified?

Answer 1

The process for purifying lithium is in which the lithium is melted in an inert atmosphere. The molten lithium is then maintained at a temperature of 400° to 700° C. In this manner, impurities in the lithium are virtually exclusively vaporized, without giving rise to substantial evaporation of lithium. The vaporized impurities are then condensed at a temperature of less than 100° C. and the purified lithium is recovered in molten form.

Answer 2

Lithium is commonly recovered from brine deposits by pumping the brine to the surface and allowing it to evaporate under the sun, leaving behind lithium salts. Purification is achieved through processes such as precipitation, ion exchange, and filtration to remove impurities and extract pure lithium compounds suitable for further processing. Additionally, lithium can also be extracted from hard rock minerals like spodumene through a series of steps involving crushing, roasting, and leaching.