High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications
More than 40 m length of drill cores were collected from four boreholes drilled by Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and Outokumpu Oy in high-grade metamorphic rocks of Rautalampi and Käypysuo, Central Finland. The hosted rocks of the graphite mineralization were mica–quartz schist and biotite gnei...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Minerals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/8/680 |
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| author | Thair Al-Ani Seppo Leinonen Timo Ahtola Dandara Salvador |
| author_facet | Thair Al-Ani Seppo Leinonen Timo Ahtola Dandara Salvador |
| author_sort | Thair Al-Ani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | More than 40 m length of drill cores were collected from four boreholes drilled by Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and Outokumpu Oy in high-grade metamorphic rocks of Rautalampi and Käypysuo, Central Finland. The hosted rocks of the graphite mineralization were mica–quartz schist and biotite gneiss. The graphite-bearing rocks and final concentrated graphite powder were studied with petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray analysis (XRD and XRF). A majority of the studied graphite had a distinctly flakey (0.2–1 mm in length) or platy morphology with a well-ordered crystal lattice. Beneficiation studies were performed to produce high-purity graphite concentrate, where rod milling and froth flotation produced a final concentrate of 90% fixed carbon with recoveries between 67% and 83%. Particle size reduction was tested by a ball and an attritor mill. Graphite purification by alkaline roasting process with 35% NaOH at 250 °C and leached by 10% H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> solution at room temperature could reach the graphite purity level of 99.4%. Our analysis suggested that purifying by multistage flotation processes, followed by alkaline roasting and acid leaching, is a considerable example to obtain high-grade graphite required for lithium-ion battery production. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:05:49Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0fe5a0a2d4934dc69cad131d9acd046e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2075-163X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:05:49Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Minerals |
| spelling | doaj.art-0fe5a0a2d4934dc69cad131d9acd046e2023-11-20T08:30:20ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2020-07-0110868010.3390/min10080680High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery ApplicationsThair Al-Ani0Seppo Leinonen1Timo Ahtola2Dandara Salvador3Geological Survey of Finland (GTK), Vuorimiehentie 5, 02151 Espoo, FinlandGeological Survey of Finland (GTK), Neulaniemientie 5, 70211 Kuopio, FinlandGeological Survey of Finland (GTK), Vuorimiehentie 5, 02151 Espoo, FinlandGTK-Mintec Laboratories, Tutkijankatu 1, 83500 Outokumpu, FinlandMore than 40 m length of drill cores were collected from four boreholes drilled by Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) and Outokumpu Oy in high-grade metamorphic rocks of Rautalampi and Käypysuo, Central Finland. The hosted rocks of the graphite mineralization were mica–quartz schist and biotite gneiss. The graphite-bearing rocks and final concentrated graphite powder were studied with petrographic microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM-EDS), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray analysis (XRD and XRF). A majority of the studied graphite had a distinctly flakey (0.2–1 mm in length) or platy morphology with a well-ordered crystal lattice. Beneficiation studies were performed to produce high-purity graphite concentrate, where rod milling and froth flotation produced a final concentrate of 90% fixed carbon with recoveries between 67% and 83%. Particle size reduction was tested by a ball and an attritor mill. Graphite purification by alkaline roasting process with 35% NaOH at 250 °C and leached by 10% H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> solution at room temperature could reach the graphite purity level of 99.4%. Our analysis suggested that purifying by multistage flotation processes, followed by alkaline roasting and acid leaching, is a considerable example to obtain high-grade graphite required for lithium-ion battery production.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/8/680flake graphiteflotationpurificationacid leachingalkaline roastingbattery minerals |
| spellingShingle | Thair Al-Ani Seppo Leinonen Timo Ahtola Dandara Salvador High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications Minerals flake graphite flotation purification acid leaching alkaline roasting battery minerals |
| title | High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications |
| title_full | High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications |
| title_fullStr | High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications |
| title_short | High-Grade Flake Graphite Deposits in Metamorphic Schist Belt, Central Finland—Mineralogy and Beneficiation of Graphite for Lithium-Ion Battery Applications |
| title_sort | high grade flake graphite deposits in metamorphic schist belt central finland mineralogy and beneficiation of graphite for lithium ion battery applications |
| topic | flake graphite flotation purification acid leaching alkaline roasting battery minerals |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/8/680 |
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