Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR): When the Numbers Pencil Out
Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) Guide For process engineers and plant decision-makers evaluating energy recovery systems, mechanical vapor recompression (MVR) represents both an opportunity and a financial test. It’s one of the most thermally efficient evaporation methods available—yet also one of the most capital-intensive. The key question is not whether MVR works (it does), but when […]
Multi‑Effect Evaporation (MEE): Steam Economy Without the Sticker Shock
Multi-Effect Evaporation: Design & Economics In industrial processes where water must be removed efficiently—whether in lithium refining, fertilizer production, or chemical manufacturing—multi-effect evaporation (MEE) remains one of the most effective tools for improving steam economy and reducing operating costs. By reusing vapor energy across multiple stages, MEE systems deliver high efficiency without the steep capital […]
AOD Lance & Gas Mixing: Getting Nitrogen and Carbon Under Control
AOD Lance Design & Gas Mixing Best Practices Controlling carbon and nitrogen during Argon-Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) is central to achieving chemical accuracy, cleanliness, and final steel quality. The design of the AOD lance, the gas-mixing strategy, and the associated control instrumentation directly influence decarburization rates, nitrogen pickup, and endpoint consistency. This guide outlines best practices […]
Designing for High‑Chloride/High‑TDS Wastewater
Materials & Design for High-Chloride/High-TDS Industrial wastewater with high levels of chloride and total dissolved solids (TDS) presents one of the toughest challenges for evaporation and crystallization systems. Corrosion, fouling, and scale formation can rapidly degrade performance and shorten equipment life if the system is not carefully engineered. To achieve long-term reliability, material selection, hydraulics, […]
From Technical to Battery‑Grade: QA, Analytics & Rework
Quality Definitions & Specs The global battery supply chain requires lithium that meets strict purity standards, yet much of the lithium produced initially only meets technical-grade standards. To reach the high-value markets for electric vehicles and energy storage, producers must transform this material into battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide. That transition is neither automatic nor […]
Condition Monitoring for Melt‑Shop Handling Assets
Remote & Condition Monitoring for Handling Assets Melt shops are harsh environments for equipment. Heat, vibration, dust, slag, and continuous duty cycles create constant wear on handling assets—from ladles and transfer cars to furnace auxiliaries. Unplanned failures don’t just stop production; they can damage equipment, compromise safety, and ruin a heat. That’s why melt shop […]
Heat Integration Across Evaporation & Crystallization
Heat Integration for Lithium Refineries In any lithium refinery heat integration project, the starting point is pinch analysis. This thermodynamic method helps identify the most efficient way to match process heat sources and sinks across evaporation and crystallization steps. The principle is straightforward: every hot stream that needs cooling (a source) should be paired with […]
Coil/Ingot & Slab Handling: Designing Heavy Movers for Harsh Environments
Heavy Product Handling in Melt Shops Coils, ingots, and slabs are among the heaviest and most valuable products moving through a melt shop. Their weight, heat, geometry, and handling frequency place extreme demands on material-handling equipment. Designing movers that remain stable, safe, and reliable in high-temperature, high-duty environments is essential to maintaining throughput and asset […]
Water & ESG in Lithium Projects: What Regulators Actually Ask
Key ESG Issues Water and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concerns are now at the forefront of lithium development projects. Regulators, investors, and communities want more than assurances of supply—they want to know that lithium is being produced in ways that align with global sustainability goals. In practice, this means developers must address: Water stewardship: […]
From Spodumene to Carbonate/Hydroxide: A Simple Route Map
Spodumene to LiCO/LiOH: Process Overview Lithium from hard rock is primarily sourced from spodumene, a lithium-bearing mineral found in pegmatite deposits. Mining typically involves open-pit operations where ore is drilled, blasted, and hauled for further processing. Once extracted, the ore undergoes concentration to upgrade the lithium content. This typically involves crushing, grinding, and flotation techniques […]