The unique design of our Indirect Cooler enables our customers to recovera significant portion of the sensible heat in the hot beta spodumene,and by doing so, lower the specific fuel consumption and associatedcarbon footprint by up to 30% compared to other cooler designs.
What we offer
How does it work?
Spodumene phase conversion is an energy intensive process that requires temperatures up to 1100°C in the rotary kiln. With such high energy input, it is essential that measures are taken to recover and reuse as much of this energy as possible.
Direct heat recovery from beta spodumene is challengingbecause direct air contact with the spodumene entrains the finefraction of the material and recycles it back into the rotary kiln.
This fines entrainment in the secondary air compromises processstability, adversely impacts conversion, promotes sintering behavior,and reduces overall rotary kiln system efficiency. We've eliminatedthese issues with the introduction of our unique and robust indirectrotary cooler design.
This cooler allows for the indirect transfer of energy from the hotbeta spodumene to the secondary air stream producing cleanpreheated secondary air and avoiding any entrainment of betaspodumene fines. The result is reduced fuel consumption andrecovery of all beta spodumene in the process.
Sustainable lithium
With lithium demand set to soar on the back of demand for batteriesin electric vehicles and energy storage systems, improving thesustainability of lithium production is vital.
Designed specifically for the lithium market, our innovative coolercaptures waste heat from cooling spodumene and returns it to thekiln. In doing so, it reduces energy consumption in the rotary kilnby up to 30%. That not only lowers your fuel costs – and thereforeboosts your bottom line – it is also a key step in improving thesustainability of your spodumene processing operation.
Heat recovery isn’t the only benefit of our spodumene cooler. From inlet to outlet, we’ve designed it for highly controllable, efficient and reliable operation.
Solving the fine spodumene challenge
To overcome the challenge posed by those beta spodumene fines,our cooler is designed for indirect heat exchange. As the hot betaspodumene flows through the cooler, heat is transferred into asecondary air stream flowing through pipes inside of the cooler.Flowing in a counter current to the spodumene, the secondary process air is heated to between 500°C and 600°C before exitingthe cooler, when it is ducted to the firing hood on the rotary kiln.This indirect cooling eliminates the risk that fine beta spodumenewill be returned to the kiln.
Key benefits
Designed for optimal spodumene cooling
Reduces fuel consumption of the process by 20-30%
Some 40% to 50% of the spodumene sensible heat is transferred tothe secondary air stream – dramatically improving the efficiency ofthe thermal process, reducing kiln fuel consumption and reducingthe carbon footprint of the kiln system.
Eliminates direct water consumption for product cooling
Indirect water cooling via external water cooling of the cooler shellallows cooling water to be recycled and re-used in a closed-loopsystem. This reduces the water intensity of spodumene processing– another sustainability win, particularly in areas of high waterstress, like Australia, where much of the world’s spodumene ismined.
Dual cooling for low final product temperatures
The combination of indirect air and water cooling ensuresspodumene exits the cooler at a guaranteed final temperature ofaround 100°C.
Optimizes spodumene residency time in the cooler
Entering at about 1075°C, the hot beta spodumene will generallytake 30 – 40 minutes to flow through the cooler. Variable speedcontrol allows for maintaining the optimum residence time requiredfor solids cooling.
Prevents air leakage
The cooler features low-maintenance carbon contact seals betweenthe rotating shell and hoods, preventing air leakage and dustemissions. Meanwhile, an isolation airlock at the cooler feed inletprevents process gas transfer from the rotary kiln and into the rotarycooler.
Designed for low-maintenance, high-reliability operation
Internal tumblers manage the flow of spodumene through thecooler, greatly reducing shell and pipe wear – and the need formaintenance. We have also designed easy access to the air pipesto reduce the complexity and time for replacement.The result is a cooler that will operate with high availability andreliability, leaving you free to focus on other areas.
Completed rotary cooler awaiting transport to a new lithium refinery
Rotary cooler, showing internal air pipes
Product features
A complete solutions provider
Our indirect spodumene cooler is just one element of our complete spodumene processing solutions. From initial roasting of the alpha spodumene concentrate, through sulphating of the beta spodumene, to refining and bagging of the final lithium carbonate, we have everything you need.
Partner with the process experts
We’re more than just an equipment supplier, however. We offer arange of expert testing and engineering services too.
Testing
We have a number of best-in-class testing centres for spodumeneores, including mineralogical and process testing facilities.
Engineering services
Our full-time engineering team offer process flowsheet, plantlayout and design to achieve best-possible performance of yourspodumene processing operation.