Investigation of Laboratory Scale Lithium Extraction from Spodumene Ore by Sulphation Roasting
Student: Ebenezer Oludele Awoniyi (Project, 2025)
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology (Degree), Kaduna, Kaduna State
Abstract
The rapid growth in electric vehicles and renewable energy storage has increased global demand for lithium. Nigeria hosts significant but underutilized lithium deposits, creating an opportunity for local processing and value addition. This study investigates laboratory-scale lithium extraction from spodumene ore through sulphation roasting followed by water leaching. A Box–Behnken Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the effects of roasting temperature, leaching time, and acid-to-ore ratio on lithium recovery. β-spodumene was produced by thermal conversion at 1000 °C before sulphuric acid roasting and leaching. Lithium content in the filtrate was analyzed and precipitated as lithium carbonate. Statistical evaluation showed a strong quadratic model fit (R² ≈ 0.97), with temperature and leaching time having the most significant influence. Optimized recovery conditions achieved approximately 28% extraction efficiency. The results provide baseline data for the development of scalable lithium processing in Nigeria.
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For the full publication, please contact the author directly at: awoniyioludele@gmail.com
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Institutions
- Sokoto State University, Sokoto, Sokoto State 42
- St. Albert The Great Major Seminary, Abeokuta. (affl. To University of Benin) 1
- Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, Jigawa State 4
- Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, Ogun State 18
- Tansian University, Oba, Anambra State 1
- Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State 32
- Temple-Gate Polytechnic, Osisioma, Abia State 1
- The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, Oyo State 6
- The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State 13
- THOMAS ADEWUMI UNIVERSITY, OKO-IRESE, KWARA STATE 1