Radiation Physics and Engineering
A peer-reviewed journal published by K. N. Toosi University of Technology

Characterization of coal gangue for recovery of lithium as a fusion fuel

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

Sare Ammari Allahyari
Parisa Zaheri
Mohammad Ghannadi Maragheh
Ehsan Zolfonoun
Hamzeh Forati Rad
Fatemeh Maleki
Mohaddeseh Parvenus
Amir Charkhi
Seyed Javad Ahmadi

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Research School, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute, P.O. Box 11365-8486, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22034/rpe.2024.478489.1243
Abstract
Lithium is the lightest alkali metal with unique chemical properties, such as high electrochemical activity, high reduction potential, and high specific heat capacity. This element has a wide range of applications in various industries, including the nuclear industry. For instance, lithium-6 is a source of tritium for nuclear fusion fuel by absorbing neutrons. Therefore, the separation of lithium from relevant sources is highly important. Since the separation of lithium from these resources is not possible without knowledge of its inventory, in this report, the characterization of the coal gangue is done using XRF and ICP-OES analysis for geochemical studies and measurement of major and minor oxides, as well as XRD analysis for determining the crystalline phases present in the samples. Due to the ICP-OES analysis, the amount of Li in B1 and B2 samples are 279 and 214 ppm, respectively, which makes the B1 sample a suitable source for the extraction of this element. Moreover,as XRD analysis shows, both samples have similar structural minerals, with montmorillonite and quartz being the primary minerals.

Highlights

  • Two samples of coal gangue labeled B1and B2were characterized through XRD, XRF and ICP analyses.
  • The XRD analysis results indicated that the primary minerals of B1and B2were montmorillonite and quartz.
  • The ash percentage of B1 and B2 samples were 33.31 and 50.94% at 700 ◦C, respectively.
  • The lithium content of B1 and B2 ash samples were 279 and 214 ppm, respectively.

Keywords

Lithium
Coal gangue
XRD analysis
ICP-OES analysis
XRF analysis
Characterization
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Radiation Physics and Engineering
Volume 6, Issue 2
Winter 2025
Pages 7-10

  • Receive Date 14 September 2024
  • Revise Date 12 October 2024
  • Accept Date 13 October 2024

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