A low lithium yield of 80% severely compromises the economic viability of the alkali

digestion process (Garrett 2004). The difference in lithium yield between alkali digestion and
the sulphuric acid process equates to USD$940 per operational hour (Refer to Appendix x).
Additionally, the process is critically temperature dependant and poor control has a large
impact on process outcomes (Wieltelmann and Bauer 2012).
The output products from alkali digestion are lithium carbonate, alumina silicate and waste
impurities. Comparatively, the use of sulphuric acid for digestion produces valuable sodium
sulphate and steam which can be sold. Yearly income generated by these by-products equates
to USD$8 million per year which significantly offsets the $9 million expenditure incurred by
sulphuric acid (Refer to Appendix X). The limestone does not produce valuable by-products
and therefore performs worse than the chosen sulphuric acid process.
Referencing
Appendix
Yield Evaluation
Sulphuric Acid Product Rate (90% yield): 1692 kg/h
Alkali Digestion Product Rate:

1692 0.9 0.8=1504 kg /h

Price: $5/kg
Difference:

( 16921504 ) 5=$ 940

per hour

Sulphuric Acid Cost

Income from steam and sodium sulphate by-products: $8,000,000
Cost of sulphuric acid: $9,000,000
Overall Cost: $1,000,000